With summer finally here, it's time we focused on increasingly our own activity as well as reflecting on the need to motivate children to stay more active.

In this issue we include links and information that continues to show the deteriorating health status of American youth.

It's ironic that in some schools PE is the first area to be reduced or eliminated under budget cuts. And even administrators who avidly participate themselves in health promoting physical activity show little willingness to defend the vital need to get kids more active.

Perhaps it's time for us to propose that children's health status should be considered under a district's special services. While we readily implement special learning conditions for students with academic deficiencies, we ignore children who are overweight and at risk of many life-threatening diseases. Surely these children should be on special plans of assistance?

Cursory observation of most elementary school classrooms reveals more than 50% of the students are overweight. These children will never experience the true joy of unencumbered movement. They will never be valued as members of sports teams. And they will have difficulty finding friends except among those similarly "disabled."

At the same time we need to remember that promoting children to be more active and get in "shape" must be done with great sensitivity. One of the articles we've linked in this issue addresses eating disorders.

Some of us can be quite fanatical about our own health, eating habits, activity expectations, and body image. It's easy to transmit these expectations to children (especially our own!), in a way that turns them off of physical activity.

Let's strive to be advocates for physical activity but keep a "healthy" perspective and avoid being over zealous. We know that active and healthy children will do better in school and better in life. They don't need to be outstanding athletes or fitness fanatics- just healthy and happy people.

Have a great and active summer

PE Links4U Staff
Health and Fitness Section Editor

Physical Activity Fundamental To Preventing Disease

On June 20th, HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson released a new report that underscores the importance of physical activity in preventing disease and outlined the physical and financial costs associated with a sedentary lifestyle, including a cost of $117 billion annually associated with overweight and obesity.

The report cites that 300,000 people die each year from diseases and health conditions related to a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits, nearly as many as who die from smoking. The HHS report pulls together data from various studies and scientific sources to illustrate the correlation between inactivity and poor health, particularly the onset of diseases such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

President George W. Bush called today on all Americans to become more active as he unveiled his administration's Healthier US initiative. The President stressed that "every little bit counts" and encouraged Americans to do what they can to be more active in their daily lives.

"We want Americans to understand the real costs to their lives and their finances from inactivity and poor eating habits, but more importantly we want them to understand they can do something about it," Secretary Thompson said. "Simply walking 30 minutes a day can have a measurable impact on a person's health and in preventing diseases such as diabetes. Playing with your children for an hour each day in the backyard improves the entire family's health. You don't need to join a gym or be a great athlete to get active and make a difference in your health."Now consider some suggestions for prevention and treatment of overtraining:

What is particularly alarming is increases in the percentage of young people who are overweight. For example, the percent of adolescents aged 12-19 who are overweight has almost tripled in the past 20 years. By maintaining a healthy weight, more young people would be able to avoid negative behaviors that can lead to depression and stress. In fact, studies show that participation in physical activity and sports can increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety and stress and promote social well-being among youths.

Click here to read the full report

Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention

The Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (ReCAPP) website is a virtual resource center designed for school teachers, health educators and program planners working in the field of adolescent pregnancy prevention.

The ReCAPP website is housed at Education, Training and Research (ETR) Associates, one of the nation's largest nonprofit health education organizations. ReCAPP is a unique resource in that it provides its users with practical skills and learning activities grounded in current research findings and health behavior theory. Users can received updates about monthly editions and and on-line discussion forums by joining ReCAPP's listserv.

For more information visit the ReCAPP web site

Sunscreen: How To Select, Apply, and Use It Correctly

With summer here it's time to think about protecting yourself and your children from the harmful rays of the sun. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) web site provides clear guidelines on the use of sunscreens.

When To Apply Sunscreen

* Apply sunscreen approximately 30 minutes before being in the sun (for best results) so that it can be absorbed by the skin and less likely to wash off when you perspire.
* Remember to reapply sunscreen after swimming or strenuous exercise.
* Apply sunscreen often throughout the day if you work outdoors, and wear hats and protective clothing.

How To Apply Sunscreen

* Shake well before use to mix particles that might be clumped up in the container. Consider using the new spray-on or stick types of sunscreen.
* Be sure to apply enough sunscreen. As a rule of thumb, use an ounce (a handful) to cover your entire body.
* Use on all parts of your skin exposed to the sun, including the ears, back, shoulders, and the back of the knees and legs.
* Apply thickly and thoroughly.
* Be careful when applying sunscreen around the eyes.

What To Look for When You Buy Sunscreen

* Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UV-A and UV-B rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
* Read product labels. Look for a waterproof brand if you will be sweating or swimming. Buy a nonstinging product or one specifically formulated for your face.
* Buy a brand that does not contain para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) if you are sensitive to that ingredient.
* Try a sunscreen with different chemicals if your skin reacts badly to the one that you are using. Not all sunscreens have the same ingredients.
* Use a water-based sunscreen if you have oily skin or are prone to acne.
* Be aware that more expensive does not mean better. Although a costly brand might feel or smell better, it is not necessarily more effective than a cheaper product.
* Be aware of the expiration date because some sunscreen ingredients might degrade over time.