Archive for September, 2007
Through the years, researcher have expressed how important exercise is to brain activity. The bottom line, exercise enhances cognitive skills. There were many doubters of this theory, but now research has proved this to be accurate. An article in the New York Times ( link) states, “Now an expanding body of research shows that exercise can improve the performance of the brain by boosting memory and cognitive processing speed. Exercise can, in fact, create a stronger, faster brain.” This is just another reason why the childhood obesity epidemic facing our youth is a major problem, and the need for daily, quality physical education in the schools. This article should really motivate parents to get their children up and moving.
The article went on the disprove a myth…”Conventional wisdom had long held that animal (and human) brains weren’t malleable: after a brief window early in life, the brain could no longer grow or renew itself. The supply of neurons — the brain cells that enable us to think — was believed to be fixed almost from birth. As the cells died through aging, mental function declined. The damage couldn’t be staved off or repaired.” Scientists have been finding more evidence that the human brain is not only capable of renewing itself but that exercise speeds the process. As we know, many body changes take place during exercise, but the extra blood flow to the brain help increase the production of neurons, allowing brain cells to multiply at a faster rate.
The study also stated that this finding not only affects adults, but children….Snip…..Other University of Illinois scientists have studied school-age children and found that those who have a higher level of aerobic fitness processed information more efficiently; they were quicker on a battery of computerized flashcard tests. The researchers also found that higher levels of aerobic fitness corresponded to better standardized test scores among a set of Illinois public school students. The scientists next plan to study how students’ scores change as their fitness improves……Snip
September 27th, 2007
by Len Saunders
One of my programs is called the 2:1 Club, which is an effort to reduce technology in young children’s lives. I have said for years that technology is great, but too much of it is contributing to the obesity epidemic facing the youth of the world. Children become sedentary when a lot of technology is in their lives, as well as creating a low attention span. This eventually will have a negative influence on children in school, recreation, sports, and life in general.
I just read an article ( link ) on Yahoo! News called, “Childhood TV viewing can cause teenage problems.” The article states “Watching television more than two hours a day early in life can lead to attention problems later in adolescence…..The roughly 40 percent increase in attention problems among heavy TV viewers was observed in both boys and girls, and was independent of whether a diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder was made prior to adolescence.”
The article continued by stating “The children aged 5 to 11 watched an average of 2.05 hours of weekday television. From age 13 to 15, time spent in front of the tube rose to an average of 3.1 hours a day. Those who watched more than two hours, and particularly those who watched more than three hours, of television per day during childhood had above-average symptoms of attention problems in adolescence…..”
This is an issue to be concerned with. Whatever habits a young child starts early in life will most likely continue into adolescents. The parents need to monitor television as well as other technology. Encourage them to get outside and play. Be a healthy role model, and make the time to have family activities. Lastly, pay attention to the commercials your children are watching. A large majority of them are for sugary or unhealthy foods.
Please keep in mind, this article does not suggest that every child with an attention problem is watching too much TV! With that being said, it is just a good idea to monitor what and how much TV your children watch!
September 20th, 2007
by Len Saunders
Last week I had the honor of having an organization that I have admired for a long time ask me if I’d like to become a spokesperson for them with regards to childhood obesity. Of course I said yes! In one week, they have already put me to work, which I love. I was taped for a show on CNN yesterday, as well as my name on some print media as their spokesperson.
The American Heart Association is a great organization, who really cares about reducing childhood obesity (on top of other things they do). I have also learned a lot from them in such a short time which I would like to share.
- 12 million US children are overweight.
- 1 in 7 children are overweight in the US.
- 1 in 3 children are obese in the US.
- This generation of children may be the first in a long time whose life expectancy could be shorter than their parents.
I will keep you posted on any future projects.
September 13th, 2007
by Len Saunders
Many children come down with serious headaches or migraines, limiting their ability to function properly. In fact, an article in the Citizen-Times ( link ) states, “about one in five children have migraine headaches at least once each month.” These headaches can occur due to over-exposure to the sun, lack of sleep, excess reading, dehydration, or even a poor diet.
“Migraines affect boys and girls equally before age 10, but after 12, girls are three times more likely to experience these excruciating headaches.” A child with a headache may feel dizzy, sleepy, and sensitive to bright lights. If your child is experiencing frequent headaches or migraines, it is important to see your pediatrician. They will be able to tell you ways to possibly reduce this problem. Sometimes, it can be as simple as increasing the amount of sleep, drinking more water, less sunlight, or possibly the need for glasses.
September 5th, 2007
by Len Saunders