There are so many things confronting our kids today. Life sure was much easier,
simplified and fun when I was a kid. Of course, it would be. I was just a kid. I
only had to worry about my chores, homework, making the cheerleading squad,
passing SAT’s, making the honour roll, Beta Club, or winning after running for
one thing or another.
So yes, this is true, life was easier but things
were different. In one way, they were better, in others, not really bad but
improvements could have been made.
One thing I enjoyed so very much in
school was competing athletically. If my memory serves me correct, it was The
President’s Council on Health and Fitness who administered fitness tests twice a
school term. I remember my best friends and I competing with the boys in doing
sit-ups, pull-ups, 50 and 220-yard dash, softball throw, running and standing
broad jumps, and so much more. We had fun! We were also fit. There were not very
many overweight students at school. There was just a handful. They stood out and
were the brunt of quite a few mean jokes but we’d pair up with them to motivate
them to do their very best. I remember one student who lost weight over the
years. He worked really hard at it and we helped.
Today’s headlines are
inundated with topics about: “Weighing Obesity Surgery Risks for Teens" or
“Childhood Obesity A Lurking Health Risk" or “Obesity in Children Causes
Concern." Earlier this week, I was listening to a news report about a
seven-year-old boy who had apparently been received into state’s custody.
Weighing in at an unbelievable 250 pounds, he was to have knee replacement
surgery at Duke University. This is not only sad but disturbing news.
I
want to know what happened to the President’s Council on Health and Fitness,
other than a name change? After visiting their website, I found a challenge
offered by the President. “ The President's Challenge is a program that
encourages all Americans to make being active part of their everyday lives. No
matter what your activity and fitness level, the President's Challenge can help
motivate you to improve", it states. Who’s accepting the President’s Challenge,
I wonder? Are public schools aware there’s a challenge on the table?
Reminiscing again about health and fitness being a vital part of our
elementary and secondary education, I discussed my concerns with my oldest
sister who is retiring after 35 years as an educator in Florida. I learned
Physical Education (P.E.) is only taught three times during one semester. That’s
it! I asked her if she remembered P.E. daily in elementary school and weekly in
middle and high school. My gym teacher, Mrs. Smith was also the Principal’s
wife. She was fit, petite, tough and a drill sergeant! We were not allowed to be
wimps or express weakness simply because we were girls. She was in her early
forties and challenged us as if she were a teenager. Anytime we could outperform
Mrs. Smith, we felt superior in strength and stamina. It was fun and it provided
fitness.
I honestly do not understand. As a parent, I would be a thorn
in somebody’s side. Correction, I would be a thorn in everyone’s side if my
child were not receiving a well-rounded and balanced education. Actually, my
child would probably not be in public school. I would find a school that offered
a balanced curriculum or resort to home schooling. It seems the public schools
“promotes good diet, exercise and lifestyle." Am I the only one who questions
the implementation of at least exercising in schools? America's young are
putting on too much weight, creating a 'time bomb' of medical and social ills.
The experts say the problems and the solutions are rooted in the family. One can
agree with that, however, one can also argue parents are not necessarily
qualified to provide the solutions and need educating themselves.
Give
me facts not complaints. Don’t speak negatively but tell me the facts. Then,
find a solution. Believing I have an idea of the problems and solutions doesn’t
make it an easy task. What I do not understand is the opportunities the schools
have to assist parents with their overweight children while they have a captive
audience approximately nine months out of twelve. Children’s minds are malleable
and if taught properly, they will teach others, including their parents. I have
witnessed such lessons.
Far from just a cosmetic problem, obesity is
considered by some experts to be one of the greatest medical risks faced by
American children today. Besides diabetes, short- and long-term consequences may
include orthopedic problems, premature puberty, respiratory complications,
hypertension, heart disease and certain cancers—not to mention reduced
self-esteem and socio-economic achievement.
"It is an impending time
bomb," said Naomi Neufeld, a UCLA pediatrics endocrinologist. "It's not going to
kill them tomorrow, but in terms of a threat to long-term health, it affects
more children than any other disease."
If you have or know of a child
who needs help, please contact the following agencies. We may read something
over and over again and then suddenly we read it and the light bulb goes on. It
happens to all of us. Doing
something is better than doing nothing at
all. It’s not this writer’s place to judge anyone lest of all I be judged. If
you’re like me, you welcome assistance and correction, not judgmental
contributions.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1-800-232-4636
Contact Congress
– an integral part of our democracy. This link will tell you:
· Where to start
· How to find a Congress Member
· How
to find a Legislative bill in Congress
· How to communicate with
Congressional Staff and provide
· Templates on what to say when calling
or writing.
American
Heart Association – Learn and Live
You can
always speak with your pediatrician or a nutritionist. Finding an activity that
your child enjoys and making it a family outing is an easy way to get started.
The weather’s lovely in most parts of the country. Pack a nutritious lunch
(don’t forget the water) and walk to your picnic location. Walk the zoo, beach,
downtown or in the park. Just get your child involved in some sort of physical
activity and do it as a family. Invite others to come along and make it a
mini-event. It won’t seem like exercise, but fun!
The American Heart
Association also offers suggestions on,
How to
Help Your Kids. As you gain practical tips on helping your kids eat
nutritious meals and enjoy a physically active lifestyle, be sure to apply these
same behaviors to your own life. The best way to lead your child to a healthy
lifestyle is to set a positive example yourself. If you want you child to have a
pen pal, I am available. He or she can report to me weekly of their progress or
just to talk about their week. Sometimes having a total stranger to talk to
helps and motivates. He or she can write to me at my
email
address . You can of course, read each email first for your approval.
In conclusion, call your school board/district and become involved with
the curriculum being offered in the schools. Become an advocate for your child’s
sake. Get other parents involved and you can help make a difference. Helping
your child develop healthy habits early in life will bring lifelong benefits.
Copyright © 2007 by
Avis Ward
of GeoVi’s Home for Life
