I wanted to thank our new members and those who donated to Click For Fitness. We rely entirely on donations.
Decades ago (when I was a kid), most people led active lives. The constant activity kept them at a healthy weight. Kids PLAYED outside, we ran around at recess, ran around before and after school and played games other than those on a screen. Meals were COOKED at home. There were vegetables on the plate. We sat down at a dinner table and ate together as a family. Fast food was not the norm and treats were just that, rare and TREATS!
Things seem to have changed. Kids "plug-in" before school, play games or text while being driven to school and "plug back in" after school. Gym and PE classes have been cut due to budget constraints. Running around with a ball after school has been replaced with video games, TV, cell phones and the Internet. Parents are busier than ever. "Picking something up" on the way home is becoming commonplace. Snacking has replaced actual meals.
The 2009 San Francisco Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicates that among high school students:
Obesity
• 8% were obese (students who were > 95th percentile for body mass index, by age and sex, based on reference data).
Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors
• 78% ate fruits and vegetables less than five times per day during the 7 days before the survey.
• 68% ate fruit or drank 100% fruit juices less than two times per day during the 7 days before the survey.
• 83% ate vegetables less than three times per day during the 7 days before the survey.
• 16% drank a can, bottle, or glass of soda or pop at least one time per day during the 7 days before the survey.
Physical Inactivity
• 23% did not participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on any day during the 7 days before the survey.
• 84% were physically active at least 60 minutes per day on less than 7 days during the 7 days before the survey.
• 44% did not attend physical education (PE) classes in an average week when they were in school.
• 71% did not attend PE classes daily when they were in school.
• 30% watched television 3 or more hours per day on an average school day.
• 36% used computers 3 or more hours per day on an average school day.
In total, we are now eating 31 percent more calories than we were forty years ago–including 56 percent more fats and oils and 14 percent more sugars and sweeteners. The average American now eats fifteen more pounds of sugar a year than in 1970.
Eight to 18-year old adolescents spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media, including, TV, computers, video games, cell phones and movies, and only one-third of high school students get the recommended levels of physical activity.
ALL HOPE IS NOT LOST!
We sometimes make the decision to skip a workout, skip the fruit ... make the wrong choice.
We just need to start making more right decisions. Start with a walk. Take your kids to the park. Pick up a ball. Bike rides. Whatever happened to family bike rides? TAKE THE CHIPS OUT OF YOUR CHILD'S HANDS! It is ok. There are other snacks. Fruits, nuts, yogurt, pretzels to name a few.
We all have what it takes. We all have the tools to help us down the road of success, we just need the will.
Everyone has a role to play in reducing childhood obesity. Parents, schools, health care professionals, your own elected officials and of course the children themselves. EVERYONE getting involved is key to ensuring a healthy future for our children.
Take the first click!
-Christopher Sacks
