This assessment of an early comprehensive piece of legislation to fight childhood obesity shows the weight status of Arkansas children may have stabilized, and positive policy changes should support ongoing improvement, but implementing the act's intent faces ongoing challenges.

What researchers found: The baseline body mass index (BMI) measurement revealed 38.1 percent of Arkansas students were either overweight (20.9%) or obese (17.2%). Three years later, the BMI rate had decreased to 37.8 percent, but 20.6 percent were now obese and 17.2 percent were overweight, suggesting Arkansas' efforts had "at least contributed to halting the progression" of childhood obesity.

Why we chose this publication: This evaluation of Arkansas Act 1220 offers insight for policy-makers and school officials on how statewide mandates for measurement and reporting of students’ BMI can foster positive changes in school food and physical activity environments, as well as improve BMI levels among youth. Opposition during the law’s implementation, limited funding for schools, and the necessary grant support to conduct an evaluation are key elements that need to be addressed as other states consider drafting similar obesity-related legislation.

What researchers studied: When this act was passed, including the unfunded mandate that public schools measure and report to parents the BMI of their children, objections ranged from philosophical, regarding parent and children's rights, to fears of unintended negative consequences. Since then, the act and its implementation have been modified to meet concerns. This study assesses progress in reducing BMIs, and examines whether negative by-products feared by opponents have occurred.