A new law in Ohio is requiring schools to monitor students' weight and measure body mass index.

The legislation, which was passed in the Ohio Senate, also requires schools to improve nutritional options.

The state will now require testing students' BMI in kindergarten, third, fifth and ninth grades. BMI is a measure of body weight based on a person's height.

"A lot of the research and data out there show that we are overweight and we're not real healthy as a nation, and it's one of the things we're trying to do through the school system to help," said Randy Lucas, Barnesville Exempted Village School District superintendent.

Officials said 1 in 3 Ohio children are considered overweight. In Belmont County, 24 percent of students are overweight, which is above the state average of 18 percent.

Once the results are in, Lucas said parents will be notified of what the data says. Parents can choose to opt their children out, but Lucas said he thinks the law is a step in the right direction.

"If students somehow end up in a category that puts them at risk, we'll give them things they can do to improve," Lucas said.

Lucas said the bill's requirement for healthier menu options is something Barnesville schools have been striving toward for years.

"We do do a lot of things here to try and encourage students to be more active, and I don't know if we have 30 minutes daily (exercise) for all students, but I think we're headed in the right direction," he said.

Lucas said a notification will be sent to parents by Feb. 1. Once testing is complete, the results will be sent to the Health Department for evaluation.

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