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.

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

At Howe Academy, enthusiasm is an understatement when you watch these students get their first experience with Gotrybein.com. Students get motivated by the “build your own workout,” it’s nice to be able to choose the kind of workout you want to do. During our visit at Howe Academy, we had great support from teachers, students, administrators and community leaders who came out to experience what GoTrybe.com was all about. A special thanks goes out to Howe Academy for welcoming us into their school. As you watch the video, see how many kids get involved with the site. It’s incredible to watch these students learn a new tool and take it to the next level.  We are wanting all teachers in Indiana to try out our new site, learn it, and incorporate it into their daily classroom routine. We think you’ll love it!  GoTrybein.com is available FREE to all kids, grades k-12 until the end of April.
Live the life you’ve always imagined. Stay Healthy.  Sheridan– and I am an athlete.

Have you ever thought of creating a home gym designed for you…and your kids?  I don’t know how many times my own children have begged to run on my treadmill, but because of safety issues I have declined.  There are many sites online that sell and offer great deals on exercise equipment designed for our youth.  Check out some of the sites listed below to browse the latest in kid’s fitness booty.  Let’s face it, kid’s are more likely to get active if they have fun “toys” to motivate them.  KEEP MOVING!-Elizabeth, CPT.

www.shapeupshop.com-gym & fitness equip

www.bizrate.com-gym & fitness equip

www.ironcompany.com-weight machines

www.lifecozy.com- great deals on equip