General Johnnie E. Wilson, US Army (Ret.), and Lieutenant General Norman Seip, US Air Force (Ret.), said that preventing child obesity is a matter of national security, noting that being overweight has become the Number 1 reason why potential recruits are unable to enlist in the armed services. The generals’ comments came in support of First Lady Michelle Obama who announced a new national campaign to combat child obesity.

According to the US Army and the mission statement of Mission: Readiness, “Today, 75 percent of 17 to 24-year-olds do not meet the basic minimum standards required for military service”.

The American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism recently held its third dual conference March 2-5 in San Francisco, Calif.  The program is designed to encourage and promote the development, advancement and exchange of new information about treating and preventing heart disease and stroke.  A new study discussed at this conference lends merit to the idea that kids with a greater fitness level have improved academic performance.  I have extracted the following from the full article which can be found on the American Heart Association website.

Physical fitness is associated with academic performance in young people, according to a report presented at the American Heart Association’s 2010 Conference on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism.

“As children’s health continues to be a concern — especially when it comes to obesity — some have suggested that children’s physical fitness is associated with their academic performance,” said Lesley A. Cottrell, Ph.D., study presenting author and associate professor of pediatrics at West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va. “The research, however, had not developed enough to define the nature of that relationship.”

To study the association between children’s physical fitness and academic performance, Cottrell and colleagues analyzed the body mass index percentiles, fitness levels and standardized academic test scores of 725 fifth grade students in Wood County, W.Va. The researchers focused more on the children’s fitness level than their weight. They then compared that data to students’ fitness and academic performance two years later, in the seventh grade.

They separated the participants into four groups of students who were:

• in high physical fitness levels in fifth grade and remained so in seventh grade;
• fit in fifth grade but had lost their fitness by seventh grade;
• not fit in fifth grade but were physically fit by seventh grade;
• not physically fit at the beginning of the study, in fifth grade, nor at the end of the study, in seventh grade.

Children who had the best average scores in standardized tests in reading, math, science and social studies were fit at the start and end of the study, researchers found. The next best group, academically, in all four subjects, was made up of children who were not fit in fifth grade but had become fit by seventh grade. The children who had lost their fitness levels between fifth and seventh grades were third in academic performance. Children who were not physically fit in either the fifth or seventh grades had the lowest academic performance.

“The take-home message from this study is that we want our kids to be fit as long as possible and it will show in their academic performance,” Cottrell said. “But if we can intervene on those children who are not necessarily fit and get them to physically fit levels, we may also see their academic performance increase.”

Youth who are regularly active also have a better chance of a healthy adulthood. The American Heart Association recommends that children and adolescents should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily and they participate in physical activities that are appropriate for their age and enjoyable.
The study suggests that focusing more on physical fitness and physical education in school would result in healthier, happier and smarter children, Cottrell said.

Authors: Lesley A Cottrell, West Virginia Univ, Morgantown, WV; Richard Wittberg, Mid-Ohio Valley Health Dept, Parkersburg, WV; Karen Northrup, Wood County Schs, Parkersburg, WV.  Other details listed in the  abstract.

Check out the video of everyone in action!

Hard data seems difficult to find on this subject, but I would be very confident in saying not as many kids are making the grade today.  I would bet President Obama “signs” far fewer awards than did his predecessors.  Time will tell what impact the first lady, Michelle Obama, will have with her program to change our current path of unhealthy lifestyle choices.  For those wanting to see if they still have what it takes to make the grade, or want to put their kids to the test, you can find out more about the events and testing guidelines.  Requirements can also be found in the Qualifying Standards section on the same site.

Please comment here with your President’s Challenge Program experience.  Do you think this award is a “big deal” to kids today?

1. What good is physical activity, how does physical activity help?
A. builds strong bones and muscles
B. decreases likelihood of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease
C. may reduce anxiety and depression and promote positive mental health
D. all of the above

2. As a minimum, how many minutes of aerobic physical activity should 6-17 year olds get per day?
A. 20
B. 30
C. 45
D. 60

3. What is an example of aerobic activity?
A. climbing a tree
B. running
C. gymnastics
D. video games

4. How many days per week should 6-17 year olds participate in muscle-strengthening activities?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 7

5. What is the best example of a muscle-strengthening activity?
A. playing soccer
B. brisk walk
C. running
D. push-ups

6. How many days per week should 6-17 year olds participate in bone-strengthening activities?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 7

7. What is both a muscle and bone-strengthening activity?
A. jumping
B. gymnastics
C. tennis
D. all the above

8. Among 9th-12th grade girls, what percent said they were physically active at least 60 minutes per day?
A. 11%
B. 21%
C. 33%
D. 52%

9. In 1969, what percent of students walked or biked to school?
A. 13%
B. 33%
C. 41%
D. 52%

10. In 2001, what percent of students walked or biked to school?
A. 13%
B. 33%
C. 41%
D. 52%

11. What is the recommended maximum amount of screen time (TV, video games, computer) for children two years and older?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 4 hours

Answers:  You will need to find them for yourself in the 2009 Youth Physical Activity Guide: Role of Families found at the Centers for Disease control website titled Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans: Children and Adolescence in the Youth Physical Activity Toolkit.

Although many want to be responsible for the cure (or at least help), it still seems the root cause is a mystery to some. There is no doubt that an unfortunate condition, such as disease or physical limitations may contribute to a child being overweight. Arguments can also be made that easy access to cheap, unhealthy, fast food is to blame. Others may say it is because kids spend too much time in front of a computer or television.

As common sense would dictate, if a child’s parents are responsible for providing the basics of life – food, clothing and shelter, and a child is reliant on their parents during their childhood for those needs, it would seem reasonable that the parents are responsible for that child’s food choices and caloric intake.

If a child shows up at school with no shoes, It would be easy to say that child’s parents have got to provide shoes, it’s a basic need.  If they can’t afford them, they can get help from many resources in the community. The school may even see if they can find a pair of shoes for the child to wear. Surely, someone would do something and do it right away.

If a child shows up at school 30 pounds overweight, what then? Does anyone contact the school nurse? Does the school try to provide information for the student and parents on how to eat right and exercise? Does anyone call the parents in for a conference?

It is time we take the battle to the source.  Parents must be held accountable for overweight and obese children.  Schools should be able to treat an overweight child, at the very least, like one with no shoes.  Doctors have to speak up when parents need to hear their child is overweight.  Parents must educate themselves and take an active role in the child’s life.

With the first generation of young people predicted to not outlive their parents among us, we have to change tactics.  Political correctness need not interfere. If there is even a slim chance it may make a positive impact, I would rather risk hurting a parent’s feelings than a child’s future.

The Facts:

Data from NHANES I (1971–1974) to NHANES 2003–2006 show increases in overweight among all age groups:
- Among preschool-aged children, aged 2–5 years, the prevalence of obesity increased from 5.0% to 12.4%.8
- Among school-aged children, aged 6–11 years, the prevalence of obesity increased from 4.0% to 17.0%.8
- Among school-aged adolescents, aged 12–19 years, the prevalence of obesity increased from 6.1% to 17.6%.8

The 2007 Tennessee Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicates that among high school students:
- 17% were obese.
- 82% ate fruits and vegetables less than five times per day during the 7 days before the survey.
- 46% drank a can, bottle, or glass of soda or pop (not including diet soda or diet pop) at least one time per day during the 7 days before the survey.
- 58% did not meet recommended levels of physical activity.
- 61% did not attend physical education classes.
- 70% did not attend physical education classes daily.
- 38% watched television 3 or more hours per day on an average school day.
- 23% played video or computer games or used a computer for something that was not school work for 3 or more hours per day on an average school day.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s graphic shows the adult obesity trends in the US over a 23 year period from 1985 to 2008.  By clicking the animation button, you can see each state changing colors as more and more of the population become obese.  I realized I was watching a graphic depiction of the evolution of the “Obesity Epidemic”.

I thought, “this is bad”.  I also thought, “I wonder how this compares to the childhood obesity rates”.  What I found was alarming to say the least.  Overweight and Obese kids outnumbered adults across the board.  If you look at the two maps side by side, you can see the past and, unless we can make big changes, the future.

Obesity Trends Among US Adults

2005 Rates of Overweight and Obese Children

Science Hill High School "Trybers"

The movement to fight childhood obesity is picking up steam in East Tennessee as Johnson City’s public elementary and middle schools join forces with Tennessee Health Commissioner Susan Cooper to combat this epidemic. The Tennessee Department of Health has teamed with GoTrybe.com to provide students and educators with access to the online health and wellness program until the end of the 2009-2010 school year.

“We’re excited that more Tennessee students will be introduced to GoTrybe as a fun new tool to help improve their health and fitness,” said Cooper. “Science shows healthy students are more successful in school, and that forming healthy habits at a young age can help put these young people on the path toward a lifetime of wellness.”

TDOH and GoTrybe first brought the Web-based fitness program to high schools in 17 East Tennessee school districts in 2008. Schools such as Science Hill were among the top participants. Since that time, more than 9,000 students and faculty have used the system to engage in health and wellness activities. The program is now being expanded to middle and elementary schools throughout the region.

The need for such programs is clear. More than 28 percent of Tennessee high school students identified themselves as slightly or very overweight, according to the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The survey also found that more than 45 percent of participating students were trying to lose weight.

Children gain substantial health benefits from one hour or more of physical activity a day, according to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans released last year by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. These science-based guidelines report that regular physical activity greatly improves health and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.

GoTrybe.com provides a modern, interactive and fun approach to meeting national standards and recommendations for physical activity through online fitness videos and related health content. With hundreds of videos ranging from hip hop dance to strength training, workouts are lead by certified professionals and are updated regularly to include the latest fitness and healthy living trends. Through online participation, students can also get daily wellness information including tips on healthy food choices and motivational messages.

“All teachers across the state are being asked to get our students up and moving. GoTrybe provides an easy-to-use tool that the students can really relate to,” says Coordinated School Health Coordinator Laura Matney. “We want to support the state’s mandate to increase physical activity and give classroom teachers a tool that collects data and shows their support and efforts in the best light. Gotrybe is also a great tool for physical education teachers  to use current exercise videos”

Additionally, individual teacher and student subscriptions give users the opportunity to access GoTrybe accounts outside of school; providing families with a resource for fitness and fun.

“The GoTrybe team is passionate about the overall well-being and future of today’s youth,” says GoTrybe Co-Founder Christopher J. Downs, MD, FACC. “We’re very excited to partner with pubic schools in our region and to provide quality healthy living activities and information for local students and families in a fresh and exciting way.”

“Including physical activity in the classroom will have benefits beyond just health,” says Downs.

“Past teachers using GoTrybe have reported that even small amounts of daily activity in the classroom have led to improved educational performances,” Downs says. “So, not only are we happy to provide tools that lead students in a healthier childhood, but also proud to assist in guiding them toward a brighter future.”

The GoTrybe program is being funded by a Center for Diabetes Prevention and Health Improvement grant through the 2009-2010 school year. In addition, GoTrybe looks to continue to make the program available for the 2010-2011 school year as well. This will improve the opportunity to establish a sustainable physical activity and health education program for all students and teachers.

Trybers in Action!

Funded by a grant from the Tennessee Department of Health through Project Diabetes, GoTrybe is now available to approximately 175,000 students and faculty in seventeen school districts. These school districts are located in GoTrybe’s home region of East Tennessee.

For those not in the know, GoTrybe is an online, interactive social community dedicated to the health and wellness of our youth. GoTrybe gets young people on the move by developing Active Screen Time™. “Trybers” can interact with fitness, nutrition, motivation and wellness content that supports their journey toward living healthfully. GoTrybe wants to be an inspiring force in the fight to get children and teens active while combating childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes. As a result, GoTrybe’s mission is to change some of the normal sedentary screen time into activity and health education. Gotrybe.com is composed of three Trybes: ZooDoos, up to 5th grade, Trybe180, 6th-9th grade and Nextrybe, 10th-12th grade.

President Obama signed a memorandum earlier Tuesday morning establishing a federal task force to tackle childhood obesity, calling it “one of the most urgent health issues that we face in this country.” “We think that this has enormous promise in improving the health of our children, in giving support to parents to make the kinds of healthy choices that oftentimes are very difficult.”

The first Lady’s effort is largely focused on making changes to diet and policy.  There is a lack of emphasis on real changes to physical education in schools or any real encouragement to get kids active.  She mentions cutting back on television time but no real focus on specific activites or programs, like GoTrybe, to divert some of that sedentary screen time (watching television) into Active Screen Time.