"It's too risky not to call attention to this," said David Satcher, former U.S. surgeon general and founding chairman of Action for Healthy Kids, a coalition of more than 40 health and education agencies behind the study.

With 9 million overweight schoolchildren, a number that has tripled since 1980, the new findings aim to give education leaders a traditional motivation for making changes: money.

At least nine states that get state money based on student attendance, for example, are losing an estimated tens of millions of dollars because of absenteeism, a problem caused in part by the poor nutrition and inactivity of those missing school, the study says.

Unhealthy lifestyles by students and faculty lead to other hidden costs, from lower worker productivity to the added expenses of helping students who have fallen behind, says the study.

Through their courses, menus and vending-machine sales of soda and candy, schools have huge influence and responsibility, the report says. Children spend 2,000 hours a year in school.

The findings are part of a flurry of efforts aimed at the nation's weight problem.

Next week, leaders of the federal education, health and agriculture departments will visit schools, announce grants and promote a national drive for healthy eating and exercise.

Making healthy choices

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meanwhile, says the nation has not made progress since 1991 in its goals to significantly increase exercise by students. Last year, only 56 percent of high school students were enrolled in a physical education class.

And Atkins Nutritionals, known for its low-carbohydrate diet plan, on Thursday announced a partnership with the nation's largest teachers union and other groups to reduce obesity.

Schools, which increasingly rely on vending sales to raise money for basic operations, often undermine themselves by offering high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, Satcher said. Sacrificing gym classes to allow more lesson time in reading and math backfires too, he said, as studies suggest built-in time for exercise helps children focus and be less disruptive.

Satcher's group is promoting schools that have made healthy choices without losing money.

In the McComb School District in southwestern Mississippi, for example, leaders banned sodas from vending machines and steered students toward meals featuring fruit and vegetables. The district required 30 minutes of organized exercise each day in grades kindergarten to eight and made physical education courses a high school requirement. These changes, among others, boosted student attendance and school revenues, superintendent Pat Cooper said.

"Surprisingly, the kids have really acclimated well," Cooper said. "They're going to eat whatever's available. We have to teach them this, just like we teach math and English."

Corporate neighbors

Satcher, the former surgeon general, said he views with caution the partnership between Atkins and the education groups. "Obviously, it helps provide funding to the schools," he said. "But we must make sure that what happens is in the best interest of children, not the advocacy group."

Atkins is giving money to the National Education Association, the teachers union, to develop a Web site, and is underwriting a guide for state boards of education. It would not name the amount, but the figure is "well into the low-to mid-six figures," a spokesman said.

Atkins says it is targeting obesity, not marketing to kids.

"Simple steps like making sandwiches on whole grain bread, scaling back on sugary snacks and soda and encouraging a half-hour of exercise a day can keep children healthy," said Stuart Trager, Atkins' medical director.

But Neal Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, accused the NEA of "selling out" to the private company.

Atkins will get credit for supporting the Web site but will have no say over its content, which will promote schools with model health programs, said Gerald Newberry, who oversees the NEA health division.

"I think they're being a good corporate neighbor," he said. "If we were promoting any diet, whether its Weight Watchers or Atkins, then I think that would be a problem."

Dear Fitness Conscious Reader:  

This web page is here to give you information you can use in motivating your family to exercise regularly.

Below are several articles that contain all kinds of information about the benefits of healthy eating and regular exercise.

Low Carbs?  Maybe it is better to ask what kinds of Carbs??

Harvard researcher, Walter Willett, has reconstructed the U.S. Ag. Department's daily Food Pyramid, stressing natural grains, vegetable, and fruits, plus exercise.

Here's his new pyramid:

""Instead of high carb, low fat, one might summarize the Willett plan's directive as good carb, good fat."

Also read more on Dr. Willett's findings about healthy diets in Discover magazine, February 2004, Vol. 25 No.2, p. 43-49.

To find out more click HERE from Harvard Public Health NOW, Aug. 24, 2001.

(posted 1/24/04)

 Check out these two useful web sites:

Real Age- Calculate each family member's "real age" in terms of their physical conditions, diets, and other life habits.

(posted 4/21/01)

 

Kid's Health- You will find useful information on child and teenage health. It is provided by the Nemours Foundation which is a nonprofit pediatric care organization that is devoted to children's health.

(posted 1/14/01 from The Fit Mind & Body Bulletin, Vol. 8, No.4)

For other Internet health, nutrition, and fitness sites click here

"CHILDHOOD OBESITY INCREASING:

---"Obesity is one of the most significant health problems for people in the United States, including almost 30% of our children! The number of seriously overweight children and adolesce4nts has more than doubled in the last 30 years, and an overweight adolescent has a 70% chance of being an overweight adult.

--- "Obesity puts people at high risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. Alarmingly, we are seeing increasing numbers of young children with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and we have learned that cardiovascular disease can start in childhood.

THE PROBLEM-- EATING MORE AND EXERCISING LESS

--- "Children are getting heavier because of a decrease in physical activity combined with an increase in higher calorie foods. As children become obese, their size limits their physical activity and their endurance is diminished. Leg pains and stressed joints make activity more taxing and, eventually, increased weight and less physical activity become a viscious cycle.

--- "Preventing or resolving ovesity requires a lifestyle that combines a healthy diet with regular exercise. Here are some practical tips for parents to help their children achieve that goal.

"HEALTHY EATING:

Serve small portions.

Eliminate high-fat fast foods.

Minimize fried foods and rich desserts.

Don't use food as a reward.

Eat only at the dinner table.

Shop for healthy snacks of fruits & vegetables.

Learn to eat when you're hungry and stop when your hunger is satisfied.

Pack healthful lunches at home for work or school.

"EXERCISE:

Set a good example. Children do what you do, not what you say.

Find out what physical activity your children enjoy, and participate with them.

Limit TV and computer time.

Encourage your child to participate in active sports like tennis, basketball, soccer, track and swimming.

Don't force your child to play competitive sports like football that may not promote fitness.

Limit 'chauffeuring'. Allow your child to walk or bike to activities.

Center family fun around exercise, such as hiking, biking and tennis.

If you have a membership at an athletic club, use it as a family.

--- "The key to successful weight management is the long-term commitment. Reputable organizations such as Weight Watchers can help some families achieve this goal. Drastic diets are not useful and can be harmful. We live in an era where it's easy to adopt a sedentary lifestyle and a high-fat diet. Hence, we must make a concerted effort to avoid that. You can help your children control their weight by prioritizing your lives to reflect the value of achieving a healthy life through fitness and good nutrition."

--Steve TePastte, MD, MESSA Medical Director

The above information is from MESSA's All The News That's Fit!, VOL. 20, NO. 8, August 2000

"Walk to Boost Brain Power:"

"A new study shows that aerobic exercise can improve your mental fitness. Researchers at the University of Illinois split 124 subjectsinto two groups: One walked up to 45 minutes a day, three times a week, while the other group stretched for an hour three times a week. After 6 months, the walkers scored 15% higher on tests that measured their ability to focus and perform multiple mental tasks. 'Aerobic exercise may improve bloodflow to tha area of the brain that controls the ability to sort and process information,' says Arthur Kramer, PhD, the lead study author."

Dear Fitness Conscious Reader:  

Here's an article on TREADMILL TREKING, a neat way to spice up your workout:

The above information is from Prevention's Guide, Walking Fit, June 30, 2000, p. 8.

Dear Fitness Conscious Reader:  

NUTRITION NEWS:

"It's a true health emergency. One-half of all Americans now weigh more than is healthy! Nearly one out of four is so heavy that they are more than 30% overweight--suffering serious problems and even early death from excess pounds (Jour. of the Amer. Med. Assoc., Oct 27, 1999). And if you're seriously over weight, your excess pounds make you:

21 times more likely to have gallbladder disease

18 times more likely to have type 2 diabetes

3 times more likely to have high blood pressure

nearly 3 times more likely to have asthma

2 to 3 times more likely to have coronary disease

" 'The major problem is calorie pollution,' says Theodore Vanltallie, MD, founder of the Obesity Research Center at St. Luke's--Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City. 'At work there are vending machines saying, 'Don't go 'round hungry.' Restaurant portions are huge! And for the last decade, Americans have taken in more and more calories with lo-fat and fat-free ice cream and cookies. If we keep going at the current rate, in 10 years everyone in America will be obese,' says Dr. Vanitallie"

"Are you a Calorie Victim?"

To see if your weight puts you at risk, check out the chart below this article. "If you fall into either the yellow or red zones==the areas where weight can impair your health and enjoyment of life--here's Dr. Vanitallie's number one piece of advice:

GET BACK TO GOOD, OLD-FASHIONED CALORIE COUNTING."

" 'If you don't know the calorie content of the food you're eating, you'll be a victim of this toxic environment,' Dr. Vanltallie says. 'Keep a record of the calories you eat, then compare it to your daily calorie burn-- between 1,800 to 2,200 calories for most people. If your food calories are higher, you're going to keep gaining.' Exercise is essential too, he says, but it can't defeat calorie pollution by itself."

The above information is from Prevention Magazine, April 2000, p. 64-65.

Visit their web site at www.prevention.com for more information.

Dear Fitness Conscious Reader:  

From the ACSM Position Stand:

THE FIVE PARTS OF FITNESS (miss one & you're missing out):

1. Frequency of Training-

3 to 5 days per week

2. Intensity of Training-

60-90% maxium heart rate (age minus 220)

3. Duration of Training-

20-60 min. continuous aerobic activity, depending on the intensity of the activity

4. Mode of Activity-

Any that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously, and is rhythmical and aerobic in nature

5. Resistance Training-

Strength training of moderate intensity, sufficient to develop and maintain fat-free weight. One set of 8-12 repetitions of eight to ten exercises that condition the major muscle groups, at least 2 days per week.

Printed in the CMU Student Activity Center Bullitin Feb. 2000

Dear Fitness Conscious Reader:    

From the Nutrition Action Health News Letter (Jan/Feb, 2000) here are ten MYTHS about exercising:

1. "Strength-training will make women too muscular."

Not possible without steroids!! "Strength-training has enormous benefits for women." It improves bone density and balance thereby reducing the risk of osteoporosis and disability from falling in later years. "Women don't have enough testosterone to create big, bulky muscles."

2. "Light weights on your arms or legs can boost your exercise benefit."

Don't Bother . It actually slows you down so you aren't improving your heart and lungs. And to build strength you need more weight than this.

3. "With the right exercise, you can get rid of trouble spots."

Not True. All it does is create muscle Underneath the fat you are trying to remove. Aerobic, total body exercises are the best way to lower body fat.

4. "Exercise burns lots of calories."

Sorry, but unless you are already quite fit it is difficult to work hard enough to burn high amounts of caleries. BUT don't give up! It works like this: "The more you exercise, the more fit you'll get. That means you'll burn more calories because you can walk briskly or run for five miles instead of one. So instead of burning 100 calories, you burn 500." ALSO..."the better-conditioned you are, the more fat you burn for energy, because your muscles adapt to using the enzyme that oxidizes fat. People who are less-trained burn more carbohydrate instead."

5. "If you don't lose weight, there's no point in exercising."

NO WAY! It is the composition of your body that matters (your % of fat vs. muscle), how your clothes fit, and how energetic you feel. And remember that muscle weighs more that fat." There are a "ton" of good reasons to exercise that don't involve your scales (see 'A Dozen Other Reasons to Exercise')."

6. "Weight gain is inevitable as you age."

You don't have to. Mostly it is just less physical activity which leads to slower metabolism and loss of muscle. This means fewer calories are needed, but we continue to eat the same amounts [or more!!]. Results: weight gained as fat. "But exercise can mount a two-pronged attack on middle-age spread and muscle loss." So if we STAY active we avoid this problem.

7. "You can't be fit and fat."

Sure you can. There are thin, unfit people, and there are fat people who are fit. It is mostly a matter of what shape your cardiovascular system is in. A doctor's stress test can give the definite answer, but so can taking your pulse after you are active and also noticing how quickly it returns to its resting rate.

8. "No pain, no gain."

Moderation is better, simply because you will be more likely to do it longer and have less chance of injury. The only thing intensity does for you is save time. Balance intensity and duration. Lower one and raise the other. Whatever works for you.

9. "If you can't exercise regularly, why bother?"

Not True. Every single time you do aerobic, total body exercise you lower blood sugar, triglycerides, and improve blood pressure. "Every bout has benefits."

10. "If you didn't exercise when you were younger, it could be dangerous to start when you're older.

"You're never too old to start..." whether your just hitting middle age or living in a nursing home! Of course, "anyone with multiple risk factors for heart disease should check with a physician and start slowly."

"As for the all-to-common 'I don't have time to exercise, somehow, you've got to make the time, or you're going to have medical problems like heart disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis. And it will take a lot more time to deal with them than it takes to exercise.'"

A DOZEN OTHER REASONS TO EXERCISE:

1. Sleep. Improved quality, duration and ease of falling asleep

2. Gallstones. 30% less likely

3. Colon Cancer. Lower risk

4. Diverticulitus. 37% lower risk

5. Arthritis. Reduced joint swelling

6. Anxeity & Depression. Curbs symptiom, releases natural opiates

7. Heart Disease. 35% lower risk

8. Blood Pressure. Lowers high pressure, maintains lower pressure

9. Diabetes. 40% lower risk

10. Falls & Fractures. Fewer falls & resulting disabilities

11. Enlarged Prostrate. 25% lower risk

12. Osteoporosis. Increased bone density

Dear Fitness Conscious Reader:  

From Michigan's Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports:

WHY MICHIGAN NEEDS EXEMPLARY PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS:

"In recent years, the forerunners of chronic diseases have been found even in young Michigan children. Many (38% of boys and 37% of girls) are overweight. Middle and high school children have four times the national average of 'severely high' blood pressure. There are more Michigan children with high serum cholesterol levels than in other states. These same children are growing into adults who suffer from preventable chronic diseases. It is now well known that regular physical activity of even moderate intensity lowers cholesterol and blood pressure levels, reduces body fat and reduces the risk of chronic disease. A high quality physical education program can provide the knowledge, motor skills, fitness and attitudes that enable wise use of physical activity for a lifetime."

Dear Fitness Conscious Reader:  

From Michigan's Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports:

" The jury is in. Regular physical activity lowers rates of heart disease, stroke, certain kinds of cancer, osteoporosis and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. But the best news is that it adds life to your years! (Charles T. Kuntzleman, Chair of Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports)

' The Bad News:

'Of all risk factors for chronic disease, lack of physical activity is the most prevalent in Michigan:

-->55% of Michigan adults have no regular exercise--3.6 million adults.

' The combination of poor diet and lack of physical activity results in more deaths than alcohol, firearms, infections, toxic agents, sexual behavior, motor vehicles and illicit drug use combined.

-->30% of Michigan adults and 25% of our children are significantly overweight.

-->39% of Michigan children have elevated cholesterol levels, have 4 times the national average of 'severely high' blood pressure, and are heavier than national norms.

' The Good News:

'Regular physical activity could reduce premature deaths by 25% and increase life expectancy by approximately 2 years.

'Much physical deterioration commonly attributed to aging can be halted or reversed through proper eating habits and regular exercise, including both aerobic activities and strength training.

'Children Learn By Example:

'Adults and parents can set an example by being physically active every day themselves. Help children learn to associate physical activity with fun, family and friends.

--> Participate in regular physical activity with your children.

--> Take advantage of Michigan's great outdoors as a family: hike, bike, swim, fish, skate, ski, and sled together.

--> Tackle yard and gardening chores with your children.

--> Encourage children to get involved in youth sports.

'Pleasure and Exercise:

'Everyone should be physically active and accumulate a minimum of 30 minutes every day (e.g., three 10-minute exercise periods). The most important thing is to be active consistently. Building exercise into your social life is a good strategy for keeping moving. Activities that bring personal pleasure such as recreational activities, walking, jogging, or cycling also have health benefits. Regularly exercising with a spouse, family members, friend, or co-worker increases the likelihood that you will keep exercise a part of your lifestyle.

'How much exercise? Intensity and Frequency:

'Exercise intensity, frequency and duration are inter-related. Low-level exercise for longer duration may yield similar benefits as high-level exercise for shorter duration. It's the total exercise that is important.

'Exercise Levels-

--> Low-level: Walk 2.5 miles per hour (24 min. a mile) 5 or more days / week

--> Moderate-Level: Walk 4 miles per hour (15 min. a mile) 3 or more days / week

--> High-level: Run 6 miles per hour (10 minutes a mile) 3 days / week

'Intensity and Duration-

--> Low-intensity exercise (50%-60% of maximum heart rate) for longer duration (40-60 minutes) uses calories and helps weight loss and maintenance.

--> Moderate-intensity exercise (70&-80% of maximum heart rate) for shorter duration (20-30 minutes) improves aerobic capacity and cardiovascular function.

--> High-intensity exercise (more than 85% of maximum heart rate may allow slightly greater improvements in aerobic capacity and heart functioning. However, this level is not necessary for most adults, and may lead to problems.

--> Activities that improve strength and flexibility may reduce injury and promote health.

'Safety Tips:

'Seek a doctor's approval before starting vigorous exercises if you are a man over 45 or a woman over 55 who smokes or has high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol. Seek a doctor's approval before starting vigorous exercise if you have heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or symptoms of light-headedness, chest pain, or heart palpitations.

'Strenuous exercise may bring on muscle injury or heart problems. If you cannot talk easily during exercise, you are probably working too hard.

'It is very important to warm up and cool down each time you exercise. this means doing the activity at a slow pace for at least the first and last five to ten minutes."

Dear Fitness Conscious Reader:  

From Fitness for Youth of U. of Mich.:

Did you know:

Exercise reduces blood pressure, increases levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol and strengthens the heart.

People who exercise, according to one study, spend significantly fewer days fighting colds than those who are sedentary.

Active children build strong bones that will help protect them against osteoporosis decades later.

Girls who exercise every day during their teens and early twenties, according to another study, are 50% less likely to develop breast cancer later in life.

People who exercise have a significantly less chance of developing colon cancer.

Regular physical activity reduces the odds of developing diabetes by up to 50%.

What's the catch? There really isn't one. You and your children don't have to go out and start running 15 miles a day or join some expensive health club to obtain these benefits. Being moderately active most days of the week works just as well.

So, go on a nightly family walk around the neighborhood, rake leaves together for a half hour, play a friendly volleyball or tennis match with each other or do whatever activities your family enjoys. A little fun, family activity time now could improve your health years into the future.

 

The above information was put together by Fitness for Youth of the University of Michigan (11/1/1999)

Dear Fitness Conscious Reader:    

Depression-

A major health concern for Americans, clinical depression strikes between 2% and 5% of us every year. Chronic depression has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, back pain, heart disease and sickness.

Benefits of Exercise:

Reduces depression as well as medication, psychotherapy or any other type of treatment. (And think of all the other benefits and low price!)

Prevents depression. People who are sedentary are two to three times more likely to be depressed than those who are physically active.

Extra Information:

How long or hard a person exercised every day or week did not affect how much their depression was reduced. What did make a difference, however, was how long people stuck to their routine. People who exercised for more than 10 weeks had the greatest reduction.

Anxiety/Stress-

We experience stress and stressful situations almost every day. Over 7% of us react to this stress with anxiety attacks serious enough to require medical treatment.

Benefits of Exercise:

Reduces stress.

Helps people better recover from stressful situations.

Decreases anxiety. Only aerobic exercise produces this reduction, however. Weight lifting and other anaerobic exercises do not generate similar results.

Extra Information:

There are two possible reasons why exercise reduces stress. The first is that the physical stress of exercising brings about the opposite reaction after the exercise is done. The second is that the repeated exposure to physical stress during exercise helps the body cope better with other types of stress as well.

Self-Esteem-

How one feels about oneself. Self-esteem is an extremely important aspect of mental health and well-being.

Benefits of Exercise:

Boosts self-esteem. The more importance a person places on physical health and appearance, the greater the improvement.

Extra Information:

Scientists believe exercise has a greater impact on self-esteem than on any other aspect of mental health.

 

The above information was put together by Fitness for Youth of U. of M.

To contact Fitness for Youth

Phone: 734-936-3084

e-mail: ffy@umich.edu

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