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.

• strengthen bones and muscles without hurting your joints
• tone your entire body
• improve your posture and balance
• increase your stamina and flexibility
• reduce stress and tension
• build confidence
• provide opportunities to meet people, and
• ward off illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, and depression

So if you’re tired of the treadmill and looking for a fun way to stay fit and healthy, it might be time to kick up your heels!  No matter what the genre: country, hip-hop, Latin, or ballroom-there is sure to be a class or group you would enjoy.  KEEP MOVING!-Elizabeth, CPT.

John Jordan, Chief Operations Officer

John’s love for fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping keep him active year round.  Being a father to two young children keeps the focus of healthy living in perspective.  John, along with his wife Regan, have used the Food Guide Pyramid as a nutrition teaching tool for their little ones. “I started introducing fruits and vegetables early into my kid’s diet. They actually ask to have broccoli for dinner, and choose water over soda…most of the time.”  When John isn’t in the woods or on the water, you may finding him outside doing yard work or playing a game of hide-and-seek with his family.

Robert Baggett, VP, Creative Development & Partnerships

Robert has always been an active person, whether it was organized sports or just getting out and doing something on his own. He enjoys running, cycling and playing golf.  “I’m an outdoor junkie—I’d rather be out doing something than sitting on the couch; I enjoy fly fishing, hiking, swimming or surfing when I get to the beach or tooling around the neighborhood on my longboard.” Robert also likes to hit the GoTrybe site when he’s traveling and staying in a hotel—his favorite Gotrybe.com move…”fast feet”. His fitness motto: “It’s all about having fun and staying active—so, get moving and enjoy yourself.”

Kristy Baggett, Health & Fitness Content Manager

Kristy likes to encourage others by getting active herself.  A huge volleyball buff, Kristy can be found on the courts bumping, setting, and spiking in leagues year-round.  She refers to her fitness activity as “5 a week”.  Kristy knows the importance of staying active, mixing up your routine, and finding fun in exercise.  Her new exercise of choice…Zumba, a fusion of Latin dance and hip-hop.  Kristy says it’s important to understand that with fitness-disappointments & failures happen, but so do successes.   She is a GoTrybe teacher, athlete, and an advocate for kid’s health.

Elizabeth Cross, Fitness Coordinator/Lead Trainer

If Elizabeth isn’t in the gym working out a personal training client, she is probably in the gym working out herself.  Elizabeth enjoys running in local races, teaching group fitness, and getting active with her two children.  “If the weather is nice, my family is either walking around the neighborhood, playing a game of soccer, or having a healthy picnic at the park.”  Elizabeth has a reoccurring spot on a local news show, Daytime Tricities, that allows her to share her knowledge and passion for kid’s fitness and nutrition.  Look for Elizabeth in many of the GoTrybe.com fitness videos.

Anna Marie Ricciardi, Integrated MarCom Coordinator

Anna Marie thrives on physical activity!  A former collegiate athlete in both basketball and track & field, Anna Marie is using her foundation of fitness to coach other aspiring athletes.  She is an assistant coach for a high school track team that is proving to have a very successful program.  Her passion for sports is also rubbing off on her young family members, “I have an 8-year-old niece and a 2-year-old nephew in Ohio who I communicate with regularly. On a recent visit, I took my niece to an elementary school basketball camp. She tries because she knows that her aunt wants her to be active!”  You may also see Anna Marie at school health fairs or national conventions promoting GoTrybe.com.

Kyle Long, Digitalfridge Video Productions

New dad, Kyle Long, is presently staying active by chasing his 6-month-old son around the house.  He also enjoys the outdoors hiking in the mountains of Northeast Tenn.  It is difficult to find the time to get out and enjoy that all the time, so to stay active on a more routine basis he hits the gym.  Kyle prefers the combination of treadmill work and weightlifting.  In the cooler seasons, you may find him snow skiing on Beech and Sugar mountains.  Kyle and his wife Megan are respite foster parents, and take pride in passing on their healthy lifestyle practices to the youth they support.

Sheridan Crockett, Sales & Promotions/Instructor

Sheridan’s energy and enthusiasm for health and wellness is contagious.  As a certified group fitness instructor, she not only teaches classes at the gym but visits her young son’s school to lead his class  in Zumba workouts.  She is an active mom spending a great deal of her free time playing with her 3 boys, jumping on the trampoline, or cheering them on at their t-ball games.  Sheridan is very active in promoting GoTrybe.com in schools; you will see her working the crowd at health fairs and school functions.  Look for Sheridan in the GoTrybe.com fitness videos!

Things happen for a reason, just believe! – Cheryl, RD

Things happen for a reason, just believe! – Cheryl, RD