Fitness Study In Texas

July 10th, 2008 by Len Saunders

I always enjoy reading about the present research pertaining children and obesity.  One thing I always look at is the actual study group used in the research.  In many cases, it is just random sampling, but in many cases, not accurate in representing all children, cultures, or socio-economic background.

Recently, I read an article ( link ) about the deterioration of fitness levels of children in the state of Texas.  The article discusses how as children in Texas get older, they are getting more and more flabbier.  I did not question the study group used here.  “Based on evaluations of nearly 2.6 million students in grades three through 12, the testing found that fitness levels drop with each passing grade – and elementary-age children perform the best.”

Some of the major findings discussed…..”Results showed that only about 32 percent of third-grade girls and 28 percent of third-grade boys reached the “healthy fitness zone,” meeting performance targets on six fitness tests.  Among 12th-graders, only 8 percent of girls and 9 percent of boys met the health standards on all six tests.”

This study and article is important.  We need to keep the children motivated with regards to healthy living as the get older.  This technology generation can be the first group who will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.

Entry Filed under: Health / Fitness Articles