Health
- One significant thing we can teach children is how to find meaning and exhilaration in activities that will nourish, rather than destroy them. Incorporating movement into a child's education will help them become more aware of themselves, their bodies and mind, how to make healthy choices that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Question: Should we worry about obesity in children?
- Being overweight during childhood is negatively associated with academic success (See Taras and Potts-Datema 2005).
- Children as well as adults are often shunned, embarrassed and oftentimes made fun of because of their weight. This can do damage to their self esteem and lead them to more serious emotional conditions such as depression. Obesity in children is growing at an alarming rate, yet fast food sales are increasing along with video games and a more sedentary lifestyle.
- Childhood obesity is a serious health concern for children and adolescents. It is estimated that 16% of pre-school children are obese, which suggest that the rate has doubled in the last thirty years. Studies that were preformed during, 2003 - 2004 have shown an increase from 6.5% to 18.8%; for those aged 6 - 11 years of age. For those children ages 12 - 19 years of there was an increase from 5.0% to 17.4%. Obesity statistics in America has become an alarming problem. One that we as a nation should be very concerned about. There are serious health concerns when it comes to childhood obesity such as, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
- Watch this video for Obesity facts and Statistics [Obesity stats video [1] Click back button to return
Question: So how can educators help?
- Educators can role model healthy eathing, educate about unhealthy foods and get their students MOVING!
MY STUDENTS LOVE THE CHOOSY KIDS PROGRAM! Choosy Kids is an excellent program that uses upbeat, current music with clever lyrics that promote healthy eating while encouraging movement through dance. Click on this to here some sample songs>[2]
- Provide resources that are helpful and meaningful. For example, this food pyramid uses images to show actual examples within each category offering clarification for students.*
