Two extremes plague our kids...
By Felicia (Fee) Benamon (01/02/06)
As a young kid, I enjoyed recess, Phys. Ed. classes, (as a matter of fact, it was my favorite class) and the joys of playing sports. Today, many schools are doing away with those vital programs and our society is suffering for it. Our children are overweight and are not getting enough benefits from exercise. It is baffling to me as to why we would want to eliminate such important programs, but such is the case in schools across the country.
A recent study indicates just how many of our kids suffer from poor physical health in America:
Updated: 4:09 p.m. ET Dec. 20, 2005
CHICAGO - More than one in three American adolescents are physically unfit and have many of the risk factors for heart disease, researchers said on Tuesday.
Treadmill tests performed on 3,100 adolescents revealed 34 percent were in bad physical shape — and the figure was conservative because some couldn't participate due to the risk they might suffer a heart attack during the exam.
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This is disturbing, and they are taking cues from adults in America, who are increasingly overweight:
'Overweight threat' for most of US
From correspondents in Washington
THE US obesity problem might be more serious than previously believed and most adults in the United States were at risk of becoming overweight or obese, US researchers said today.
In a government study that followed 4000 participants over 30 years, researchers found that 90 per cent of men and 70 per cent of women were overweight or later became overweight.
"National surveys and other studies have told us that the United States has a major weight problem, but this study suggests that we could have an even more serious degree of overweight and obesity (cases) over the next few decades," Elizabeth Nabel, director of the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, said.
Excess weight and obesity increase the risk of poor health and can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, breathing problems and some cancers, Ms Nabel said.
"We hope these results will serve as a wake-up call to Americans of all ages."
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Of course, it better be a wake-up call! It sure is something we can't ignore. If a child is overweight, chances are their parents are as well. Not only should we be focused on providing activities and programs and chances for kids to romp and play, we as parents should be concerned about food intake. There has to be a balance...children getting the equal amount of nutrition from different food sources. Kids should not be put on diets as they would lose out on key essential nutrients for their growing bodies. When we tackle the issue of poor nutrition and lack of exercise, we will see a change for the better. I hear of so many people, kids and adults who are in danger of developing diabetes due to inactivity and poor food choices. And to me, there should be no excuse. Eat healthy, for you and your child. And remember, life is to be enjoyed through activity; trying new things, being creative, and adventurous. And that requires you to be on the move.
My suggestion? Why not make exercise a family affair? Find a physical activity the whole family will love. Get out and get some sun! Life is too short to be sluggish...sitting on the couch and wasting the day away. A rousing family activity which members participate in on a regular basis will help set the wheels in motion to a stronger household, no doubt.
Make cooking a family affair as well. Learning hands-on is always a good learning tool for kids.
Steroid abuse
Extreme physical fitness problems/overweight issues is one extreme affecting our young people. The other is the blatant use of steroids. These days, it's all about winning...not about the enjoyment of the sport. Sportsmanship has taken a backseat. It would be great if one wins, but it won't happen all the time.
Competition is taken to insane levels these days. Enter the abuse of steroids. High School age kids have experimented with steroids to better perform in their chosen sport:
NJ to Begin Random Steroid Testing for HS Athletes
By Jeff McKay
CNSNews.com Correspondent
December 22, 2005
(CNSNews.com) - On the verge of leaving office, New Jersey Acting Gov. Richard Codey has ordered that high school athletes in the state will have to undergo random drug testing for steroids in the 2006 school year.
"We've all seen the statistics and read the articles about the impact that steroids are having on kids. This is a growing public health threat, one we can't leave up to individual parents, coaches or schools," said Codey while announcing the first-of-its-kind measure in the nation. "Kids don't think 10 years down the road, when that steroid use can lead to a heart attack, liver cancer, diabetes," he added.
The majority of high school coaches in the state approve of Codey's plan, according to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Steroid and performance-enhancing drug use has been on the rise by young athletes attempting to improve their level of play. Where these types of drugs were once used by professional athletes, in recent years, they have filtered down to collegiate and high school levels.
According to statistics from the National Institute of Drug Abuse, 3.4 percent of high school seniors nationwide, 2.4 percent of 10th graders and 1.9 percent of eight graders said they have tried anabolic steroids at least once.
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Kids see professional athletes taking steroids and think it's cool and it will help their game. They get the message that it's ok to take banned performance enhancing drugs or steroids and figure "If my favorite professional athlete can do it, so can I."
For instance, I am reminded of the baseball steroid issue and the steroid scandal involving BALCO labs, who catered to such athletes as Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, and Olympian Marion Jones. What a horrible image to send to young people! It's cheating! This is saying that you are not a winner unless you use drugs to help you get the edge over your competition!
People do not consider the side effects from steroid use. There have been cases reported of teens committing suicide, experiencing rage...and let's not forget the freak changes that occur to their bodies when they use steroids. All to be the perfect athlete. Either we are so image obsessed or we are driven to be perfect. And there is no perfect person on this earth.
We need to stress the importance of competing for the mere joy of the sport. And of course for the exercise. We either push our kids too much, or don't expect much out of them. And both have serious repercussions on the physical & mental development of our kids. They are looking at us as adults to lead them...and we must nip it in the bud now, time to make responsible choices that will lead to a healthy future.
Fixing the problem
In order to fix both of these problems, attitudes have got to change. The need for programs in schools, such as P.E., recess, and sports programs to keep kids active, should be a high priority. Schools that have ditched these classes should reconsider. Physical Education classes are just as vital as all other classes. No doubt, exercise helps to alleviate stress. During those Phys.Ed classes, and recess, kids need to burn off frustration and energy during this time. Any physical movement is beneficial to every kid.
If we start early with our children, promoting physical fitness and proper nutrition, it will become retained information, and they will take it with them throughout life. If your child participates in a sport of any kind, he/she should be reminded that they may not always win. It's important to learn and grow in your sport of choice as your skill becomes better and better. Sports should always be played for the "love of the game".
It all starts in the home, with great nurturing of our kids. Nurturing them to become productive, happy individuals in society. When we do this, we will see a drastic drop in negative statistics involving childhood obesity, diseases, and steroid abuse.
Resources/Related Reading:
One in three U.S. teens physically unfit: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10547937/
Herald Sun: 'Overweight threat' for most of US:
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,16809990^1702,00.html
NJ to Begin Random Steroid Testing for HS Athletes:
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=\Politics\archive\200512\POL20051222a.html
BALCO founder Gets 8-Month Sentence: http://www.kron.com/Global/story.asp?S=3991326
Facts on Steroids: http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/Steroids.html
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