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Walking for Health and Fitness Providing walking places that are safe and accessible for our children can do more than just prevent tragic injuries and deaths. According to Mark Fenton, editor of Boston-based Walking Magazine, if children walk regularly, it can also improve their health and set patterns that will carry them into adulthood. "These days, in the age of video games and VCR's, children are heavier and more inactive than ever," said Fenton who is a member of the "Partnership for a Walkable America" - a coalition of private, state and federal organizations united together with the common cause of increasing public awareness about the benefits of walking. "We're essentially socializing kids to be inactive," he said. "Kids naturally want to be active. They run around and squeal and make noise and what do we do when we start them in school? One of the first things we say is 'Sit down and don't stand up or wiggle unless you're called upon. Only run around during recess or gym.' Then in life, as they get older, we only ask them to move around less." "The fundamental absurdity is that when schools are low on money, what's the first thing they cut?" Fenton asked. "Physical education and sports," he said, answering his own question. "Well I understand that outfitting a football team is costly, but interestingly enough, taking kids for a walk costs nothing," he said. "If you did institute a walking program in the schools, you could have the walks be part of biology class, or sociology class, where the kids could look at their communities." Exercise (Including Walking) Can Improve Health According to Fenton, it is not just American children and adolescents who are inactive. Fenton says that adults in the United States are more sedentary than ever as well. "Americans are less active than they ever have been," he stated. "Twenty-five percent of our population is essentially sedentary, 55 percent are only sporadically active, and only about 10 percent of the population exercises regularly." This lack of exercise is killing us, say researchers at the CDC and the American College of Sports Medicine. According to a joint statement they issued this year, approximately 250,000 deaths a year in the United States can be attributed to physical inactivity. The good news is that 30 minutes daily of moderate exercise can promote long-term health. And kids? How do we get them to walk more? "Role modeling is a very important thing," Fenton said. "If you're the kind of parent who actually suggests to their kid that you need not drive the car everywhere, and that maybe they could walk back from band rehearsal with a couple of friends instead of you going to get them, that can help set the tone a lot." Start A School Walking Program Fenton also suggested parents in neighborhoods join together and approach their schools about starting a walking program. He said parents could even organize a "Walk to School" week with different parents from the neighborhood volunteering to be a little late for work one day so as to serve as a volunteer crossing guard in their community for the event. He added that local police could come into the school the week before the program to talk to the kids about pedestrian safety, and that the students could make posters announcing the event to hang in their community. "The point is, there's a lot that parents and schools can do," Fenton commented. "A parent can walk into a school and say, 'I'd like to lead a walk' and if it's a well-thought-out program, they'd be delighted." This article was written for the Partnership for a Walkable America by Emily Smith of the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center Phone: (919) 962-2202 FAX (919) 962-8710

 

Childhood Obesity There is an increasing incidence of obesity in America. Thirty-two million women and 26 million men (approximately one third of the U.S. adult population) are overweight. The prevalence of childhood obesity has also been reported to have an increasing incidence. Some experts have suggested that obesity among children may be considered to be the most common pediatric chronic illness in America. Research has indicated that adults who are obese are at greater risk for increased morbidity and mortality from heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolimia, cancer, and many other diseases. Many of the health problems that accompany obesity in adults are also found in children. The negative consequences associated with obesity are well-established; however the etiology of obesity is still not clear. It is commonly believed that adipose tissue accumulation is chiefly due to a disequilibrium in energy balance resulting from energy intake exceeding energy expenditure. However other studies have shown that there is a genetic association, differences in thermogenic responses, variations in resting metabolic rates, and differences in exercise levels. Probably the most significant role that teachers and parents can play in helping to overcome this growing problem is to be an example. By participating in, and teaching about proper diet and exercise, children will grow-up with new traditions and lifestyles that foster good health and reduced body fat. Ron Hager Health and Fitness Section Editor

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Children's Health

Sleeping for Health A good night's sleep is important for the physical and emotional health of every child. Children need periods of uninterrupted sleep for optimal growth and development, and a good night's sleep helps parents perform better at their jobs, both outside and inside the home.

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Children and Healthy Foods Children are great observers, and often like to see what's packed in their friends lunches. It's not unusual to trade the apple for potato chips. If children don't bring their lunches, the choices available at the school lunch room become their only meal source. Then they only eat what they perceive to be tasty, and that is not always what is best. Here are some ideas, for teachers and parents, that encourage good nutrition habits:  Children are interested in good eating habits: Children can learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy food. Activities at home and in the classroom can help teach children read nutrition labels. Parents can encourage their children's teachers to incorporate lessons on good nutrition at the beginning of each year. When families go out to eat, parents can help children identify the most healthy, and least healthy, choices on a menu.  Teachers can encourage parents to work together: In class, children can make a list of the kinds of foods to eat in their lunches, and the kinds of foods to not eat. Parents can work together to help all the children in a class eat better.  Make your childs' lunch fun: Use variety when making a lunch for your child. You could use different fruits and vegetables everyday for a week. If you have fun making their lunch, maybe they will have fun eating it.

Current Research

A study was completed a few years ago with over 5,000 third graders at 28 schools in the United States. Nutrition lessons were added to the curriculum, and the school lunches were more nutritionally sound. Follow-up data was collected in third, fourth, and fifth grades. Dietary assessments showed that the amount of fat in the diet decreased significantly from 39% to 32%, however, in schools in which no changes were made, the amount of fat intake did not change. (Journal of the American Medical Association, March 13, 1996).

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Children and Stress Often a child appears to be very grown up and able to handle responsibility -he or she may even seem like a "miniature adult." However, parents may inadvertently treat their children as adults too early and hurry them along in the process of growing up. Parents need to watch for the possibility that their child has been given too much responsibility and is being pushed too hard. National PTA's "Building a Healthy Child" There is nothing more important to parents than the health and welfare of their child. And healthy children mean successful students, which is why PTA supports comprehensive school health programs.

Adult Fitness

Dancing for Fitness Lose weight, tone muscle, have fun, and meet people. Sound like the perfect hobby? Ask anyone who's tried it and they'll tell you that's exactly what ballroom dancing is.