Schools throughout the Capital Region have already adjusted school lunch menus and increased physical activity to combat a childhood obesity epidemic as the state is requiring them to submit information about the health of their students.

Twenty-one percent of New York third-graders were considered obese, according to a 2004 health survey. As part of a law passed last year, schools outside of New York City are required to collect and report a summary of students’ weights and body mass indexes.

Doctors must now test students when they come in for a student health certificate, which is mandatory to attend school in the state. The confidential information is collected in the second, fourth, seventh and 10th grade. Parents can choose to opt out of the program.

State Health Department spokeswoman Claire Pospisil spokesman said this information will help the state target resources for childhood obesity prevention programs to high-risk communities by understanding the severity and distribution of obesity among youth of various ages in different regions of the state. It will evaluate whether local district’s actions are having an effect on reducing childhood obesity.

“The data is going to help us determine what the best approach is to help with our childhood obesity prevention program in New York,” she said.

Waterford-Halfmoon School District Superintendent Timothy Lange said the district has already been taking steps to reduce childhood obesity. It has been monitoring and changing the food that the cafeteria offers to more healthy foods and less fatty and high-sugar foods.

In addition, the school just revamped its playground equipment to add items like rock climbing walls. It is also accessible to people with disabilities.

“It is now a playground that can be used for not just recess but physical education,” he said.

It also renovated its outdoor track within the last couple of years. The district is exploring overhauling its fitness room for grades seventh through 12th to add more cardiovascular and weight training equipment.

Lin Severance, director of student and personnel services and grant development for the Mohonasen Central School District, said the district has already taken steps to promote healthy student lifestyles. It has just renovated its fitness room and it is a huge draw for the students because they can work out after school. Also, the pool has increased its usage.

In addition, the food service offers more healthy choices — more fruits and salads and less processed sugar stacks.

“The kids really like it,” she said.