"The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake," declared First Lady Michelle Obama at the Let’s Move! launch on February 9, 2010. The Let's Move website states quite starkly why childhood obesity is such a serious problem:
"Obese children may experience immediate health consequences, which can lead to weight-related health problems in adulthood. Obese children and teens have been found to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and abnormal glucose tolerance. In a sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, almost 60% of overweight children had at least one CVD risk factor and 25% of overweight children had two or more CVD risk factors. In addition, studies have shown that obese children and teens are more likely to become obese as adults."
So as we move into a new year, how about making a resolution to help the children in your care make fitness a part of their everyday routines for life?
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Comments (2)
Displaying All 2 CommentsCSBC
Denver, United States
This is such a serious problem, we need to:
• Demand that national and state early childhood standards place physical activity and outcomes at the forefront, above academics and technology;
• Adopt best practices that include daily physical activity, and that prohibit the removal of physical activity as a punishment (including for children with special needs);
• Make sure that K-12 schools make physical activity a high priority, including frequent and active recess;
• Continue the revision of USDA/program meals to make them more nutritious; and
• Launch an aggressive campaign to help families understand the critical importance of regular physical activity, and the negative results of too much TV/computer activity.
It is ironic that, as we have become increasingly aware of this problem, we have reduced the importance of physical activity in early childhood programs and schools.
Monterey Peninsula College
Monterey, California, United States
We know that children learn an enormous amount from observing us and what WE do. Therefore, probably the best strategy for having fit children is for us to be fit. Eat healthy foods, be active, make good choices. This needs to be communicated to all adults who share in children's lives.
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