Archive for January, 2007
Children are still living sedentary lifestyles, and playing less. Most come home to an empty house, plop on the couch, turn on the TV, and eat their snack. An hour later, they are still eating and playing video games. Later on, they are on the cell phone talking to friends, followed by some computer time. What ever happened to ‘play’ time. Twenty years ago, play time involved some type of exercise. Now play time involves some form of technology. The Mayo Clinic ( link ) has come up with some suggestions to get kids off the couch, and enjoy movement. “For many children, biking to the playground and playing kickball in the backyard have given way to watching television, playing video games and spending hours online. But it’s never too late to get your kids off the couch. Use these simple tips to give your kids a lifelong appreciation for activities that strengthen their bodies.”
1. Lead by example. A parent should do everything possible to be active. Taking the steps instead of the elevator, or performing household chores is a good start. Teaching the children that exercise is good for you and not a punishment is also important to convey.
2. Limit technology. Simply put, set a time limit the children can use the computer, TV, and video games.
3. Create a routine. Exercise should be a part of your day as much as eating should be. Once it is habit forming, it becomes easier.
4. Make exercise fun!
January 31st, 2007
by Len Saunders
Do you think BMI (Body Mass Index) should be done in the schools? This is a very controversial topic these days. BMI is the number, derived by using height and weight measurements, that gives a general indication if weight falls within a healthy range. In the long run, it could help a child who is overweight by teaching them about living a healthy lifestyle. It could also hurt a child by lowering their self-esteem.
An article in the New York Times ( link ) states “The practice of reporting students’ body mass scores to parents originated a few years ago as just one tactic in a war on childhood obesity that would be fought with fresh, low-fat cafeteria offerings and expanded physical education. Now, inspired by impressive results in a few well-financed programs, states including Delaware, South Carolina and Tennessee have jumped on the B.M.I. bandwagon, turning the reports — in casual parlance, obesity report cards — into a new rite of childhood.”
Many children just don’t understand what a BMI is. The get a note home from the school, read it, and interpret it in different ways. For example, the article discusses a first grader who “did not know what “index” or “percentile” meant, or that children scoring in the 5th through 85th percentiles are considered normal, while those scoring higher are at risk of being or already overweight. Yet she became convinced that her teachers were chastising her for overeating.” It is really important for the schools to completely educate the children on the purpose of the BMI so interpretations like this do not happen. Discussing one particular school district, the Times reported “Nearly 60 percent of eighth graders in the district scored in the 85th percentile or higher in 2003-4; more than a quarter had scores in the 95th percentile or higher, meaning they were officially overweight.
As it is for adults, the body mass index for children is a ratio of height to weight, but the juvenile numbers are also classified by age and sex, and the word “obese” is not used.”
Teasing and weight are always an issue with children, as the very heavy and very thin get ridiculed. Many parents do want to accept / read the letters pertaining to the BMI in their children’s report cards. “The letters sent home with report cards have been a shock. Many parents threw them out, outraged to be told how much their children should weigh or unconvinced that children who look just fine by local standards are too large by official ones.”
January 9th, 2007
by Len Saunders
The Canadian government is taking a stand against childhood obesity. They are now offering a $500.00 tax credit for youth under the age of 16 who play organized sports. As it reads, parents who now spend over $500.00 dollars a year on their children’s youth sports will benefit from this new law ( link ).
Snip…..However, Sports Minister Peter Van Loan defends the fitness credit, saying parents have pulled their children out of sports because of rising fees. “This was seen as a solution to help them, but that would also help out the nation’s health, and hopefully help out government costs in the long run,” said Van Loan…..Snip
Like many other countries, the amount of obese children in Canada has significantly grown. “Rates of overweight and obesity nearly tripled among Canadian children over the past two decades, the Canadian Institutes of Health Information reported in 2004.” The Canadian government feels that healthy children now will create healthier adults later on in life, thus reducing the costs for health care. “The federal government estimates the program will cost $160 million a year. The annual maximum refund per child is $78.50.”
What are your thoughts about this new reform? Share with the community.
January 2nd, 2007
by Len Saunders