By AP
LANSING, MI –
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder plans to require doctors to tell state health officials where the children they treat fall on body mass indexes that can indicate if they're overweight or obese.
The move would help track a growing obesity problem while opening the way for doctors to be more proactive in offering advice.
The state already requires doctors to report how many children are immunized.
Snyder spokeswoman Sara Wurfel told The Associated Press Tuesday the new requirement will make weight screening part of every child's medical care.
She calls it "an important step in managing pediatric obesity."
About 800,000 Michigan children are considered overweight or obese based on height and weight.
Obesity and infant mortality are expected to be top priorities when Snyder announces his health and wellness initiative Wednesday.