According to KidsHealth.org, one in three children are considered overweight or obese. There are many factors that have been attributed to this number including less daily activity, poor nutrition and not enough education on what living a healthy lifestyle means. The American Academy of Pediatrics has named schools as the most beneficial way for children to receive daily physical activity.
Overweight versus Obese
Body mass index, or BMI, is used to determine whether or not a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese. BMI is determined using both height and weight measurements in a mathematical formula. Overweight children have a BMI between the 85th and 95th percentiles, whereas obese children have BMIs over the 95th percentile. It is important to consult with a health care provider if you have concerns.
Physical Education
The National Association for Sport and Physical Education states that school-aged children should not remain inactive for longer than two hours at a time. They also state that school-aged children should receive one or more hours of physical activity daily, broken up into at least 15-minute increments. The amount and type of physical education required in schools varies by state, based on the current standards. The American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association have come together to provide updated physical education recommendations that include making physical education a requirement at all grade levels.
Schools & Nutrition
Nutrition plays a large role in controlling obesity and reinforcing a healthy lifestyle in children. According to the Centers for Disease Control, CDC, schools are the ideal place to teach, guide and support children in healthy eating habits. The current school nutrition guidelines simply revolve around food groups versus a comprehensive approach to healthy eating. The CDC recommends a school-based nutritional education program that involves teaching children about healthy food choices and providing them with those choices at meal times.
Education
Providing education to children of all ages regarding healthy eating, physical activity and the long-term health benefits of living a healthy lifestyle is a key component to decreasing the percentage of obese and overweight children. Incorporating nutrition and physical education into the curriculum are important, as is educating parents to incorporate healthy choices into their children's lives while at home. When the community, schools and individual families all take part in healthy choices, children are more likely to do the same.
Member Comments