|
|
"The prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity have increased and account for more than 300,000 premature deaths each year in the United States."
This statement released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in conjunction with similar national news stories in media outlets such as Time, Newsweek Magazine, and USA Today, signal childhood obesity as a growing epidemic. Further, in many of the articles discussing obesity, a high-quality school health and physical education program is a strongly recommended treatment.
We all understand the negative role of television, computer games, poor nutritional habits, and general sedentary living by too many adults...but how might innovative health and physical education programs address this obesity epidemic?
I encourage all secondary health and physical education teachers to sound off on their thoughts regarding child and adolescent obesity. The PE Forum provides the perfect outlet to hear your voice!.
Jon Poole
Section Editor
|
| Vicious Cycle of Childhood Obesity |
|
Committed to Kids
This link directs you to a pediatric weight management program based out of New Orleans. While I do not see PELinks4U as an appropriate site to endorse outpatient programs such as this one, I do believe some of their material is appropriate for us as educators. Their handout, The Vicious Cycle of Childhood Obesity for example, is a pretty impressive graphic of what can happen to a young person's physical, mental, and social development when he/she is obese.
As health and physical education teachers, we have certainly seen those youngsters who decide too early in life that they are unathletic. We see (& hopefully intervene!) when other children make fun of them because of their weight, and they learn that sports and physical activity are only for the athletically gifted, strong, and fit people in our society.
This cycle, of course, leads to too many sedentary adults who become sedentary parents raising sedentary children. Health and physical education teachers in secondary schools are really at one of the last places to break this cycle.
Appropriate exercise habits need to be taught, and enjoyable physical activities offered which adolescents can participate in for the rest of their life. They may not be our strongest varsity athletes, but they can be strong and healthy members of our community.
|
|
If you have ideas, comments, letters to share, or questions about particular topics, please email one of the following Secondary PE Section Editors:
|
|
Help to support quality physical education and health education by contributing to this site.
|
|  |
| • | What is the role of secondary health and physical education in the treatment of childhood obesity? |
| • | What are your students expected to know about maintaining a healthy body weight after participating in your health and physical education class? |
| • | Have you found some innovative ways to teach weight management and body composition? |
| • | Does your district have guidelines that share what is expected of all students in health and physical education? |
| • | What about body image? Is the growing concern over body weight overshadowing concern about body image?
|
Think about these questions, or pose one of your own, then sound off at the PE Forum. This is a wonderful resource to get connected with others in our profession. Share your victories, your concerns, or simply ask for opinions to a nagging question.
|
"Overweight children are at risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other serious health problems. They are part of an epidemic of overweight and obesity that must be addressed so that they can lead healthier lives."
- Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan
Dr. Koplan is the Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
|
|
Food Guide Pyramids
In addition to finding the Food Guide Pyramid on many cereal or cracker boxes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion publishes the Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children Ages 2-6, and the regular Pyramid for older children and adults.
Their website features downloadable pyramids and many other features appropriate for K-12 teachers.
|
Childhood Obesity: More Prevalent than You May Think
by Hennie Shore
It has been estimated that up to 80 million persons in the U.S. are overweight, and studies have found that approximately 80 percent of obese children become obese adults, putting them at risk for a host of health hazards. To draw an even bleaker picture, recent research indicates that the number of overweight preteens and adolescents is increasing.
The Burdens of Excessive Weight
The psychological and social burdens of obesity are particularly troublesome for children. In one study, children as young as six rated pictures of obese children as less likable than pictures of normal-weight children, underweight children, and children with serious physical handicaps. Their peers felt that obese children were overindulged and less competent in many areas of functioning. Obese children are also at increased risk for disturbed family interactions, disapproval from peers, academic discrimination, and poor self-image.
Additionally, obese children are often blamed for their condition, which gives rise to serious self-doubt and a persistent concern with dieting. Medically, they are at increased risk for carbohydrate intolerance, excess secretion of insulin, hypercholesterolemia, elevated blood pressure, and decreased release of growth hormone. Read the rest of this article.
|
|
|
|
In the March 26, 2001 issue of this page, I discussed a coordinated approach to teaching health education and physical education. Check out an article from the journal "Pediatrics" which was reviewed by the Heart Information Network.
In this particular study of a North Carolina school-based program, over 400 "high-risk students" ("high risk" as defined by those leading a sedentary lifestyle, being at least 15 pounds overweight, and having a elevated cholesterol level) were divided into three groups; each having changes in aerobic exercise and healthy nutrition habits taught differently to each of the groups.
Not surprisingly, all participants showed improvement, but the greatest improvement was reported in those students who received group nutrition information from their health and physical education teacher during health class. This group showed greater improvement than a group that received individual counseling from a school nurse. This study certainly lends support to the notion that a coordinated approach to healthy living can be taught in K-12 schools.
|
|
The Man In The Glass
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass;
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed the most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be the heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.
~Anonymous~
|
|
Studying School Lunches
Diane Sweeney, Dietetic Intern
When was the last time you had a school lunch? If you answered, "When I was in school," then it’s time for you to make a lunchtime visit to your child’s school cafeteria! You might be surprised about how much has changed.
School meals are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are required to provide one-third of a school age child’s daily nutritional needs. The National School Food Service Program is based on the principles of the Food Guide Pyramid and the Dietary Guidelines. This is accomplished by expanding the variety of foods in the diet, adding more fruits, vegetables and grains, and constructing a diet lower in fat.
The program’s meals provide no more than 30% of their calories from fat, and less than 10% of their calories from saturated fat. For example, schools serve leaner beef, and also offer 2% and skim milk in place of whole milk. The meals also provide at least 300 mg of calcium, if your child chooses milk as a beverage. Read the rest.
|
|
