Youth at Risk: One in Three Kids not Physically Fit
A recent study indicates that one in three kids are not fit and therefore at higher risk for heart disease, childhood obesity and other health problems.
Researchers asked 3,110 adolescents to walk or run on a treadmill then measured their heart rate and blood pressure. About 34 percent fell into the lowest fitness level, making them twice as likely to become overweight and two to three times as likely to have high cholesterol.
I am not surprised to hear the disturbing results of this study. I'm very concerned about the fact that inactivity leads to childhood obesity – an extremely dangerous epidemic in the United States. Some ways to combat this problem:
- Exercise – The obvious answer to unfit kids is exercise. Overweight and obese children need at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, but more is better.
- Eliminating sweet drinks – Drastically cut their sugar intake (and ultimately weight) by eliminating soda and fruit juices.
- Cutting down or cutting out television – Not only does TV viewing promote inactivity, it exposes kids to commercials promoting worthless foods.
USA Today December 20, 2005
Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 294, No. 23, December 21, 2005: 2981-2988