The Bluewater and Bruce Grey Catholic School Boards are partnering with the public health unit on a new initiative.
The new program involves weighing and measuring Grade two students to determine their body mass index.
Catholic Director of Education Bruce MacPherson says this data will allow the Health Unit to monitor childhood obesity rates within the schools.
The data can than be used in to create or change current practices and policies in the area of childhood obesity.
MacPherson says all of the information collected will be kept confidential and the student weighing and measuring will be done discreetly.
He says the Body Mass Index tracking program ties in nicely with their Healthy Foods, Healthy Eating programs.
MacPherson says the school board is making great strides in trying to reduce childhood obesity by eliminating the sale of unhealthy foods from the schools while promoting healthy lifestyles.
The BMI Student Tracking program will be phased in over the next few years.
This year — Sacred Heart in Teeswater and Kincardine’s St. Anthony’s schools will be participating along with a few Bluewater elementary schools.