EDMOND — Obesity is pandemic across the United States and not only are parents becoming concerned but state officials are weighing in on the subject while working with the schools.
In addition to eating more healthy by adding more fruits and vegetables and cutting down on sugar and fat, authorities agree physical activity is key. It must be increased.
Kelly D. Brownell, Ph.D., author of “Food Fight” and Director of the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, said manual work has been replaced by labor-saving devices, and a host of electronic entertainment devices consume hours yet require little but a flick of the wrist.
Almost half of all children do not participate in any regular physical activity. Children 12-17 are less likely to get regular exercise than 55-year-old adults, Brownell said.
Video games and computers give cable television a run for the money when it comes to being sedentary. In addition to these things add parents’ concerns for their child’s safety.
The June 2002 “Pediatrics” a report showed statistics comparing school children in 1973 to today’s children.
“In 1973, 70 percent of school kids walked or biked to school,” the study states. “Today, less than 15 percent do.”
A study released by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that one-fourth of children under two years of age had a TV in their bedrooms, more than 33 percent of children six and under had a TV in their bedrooms and 70 percent of children spend two hours a day with some kind of “screen media,” including computers and video games.
Various studies have linked TV time with obesity, eating fewer fruits and veggies, consuming more snack foods and soft drinks, and a declining metabolic rate in children.
By high school graduation, kids have logged more hours watching TV than they’ve spent at school.
According to an article in the Aug. 19, 2002, “U.S. News & World Report,” in order to save money, fewer than 10 percent of schools across the nation now offer daily physical education.
The disappearance of physical education may be blamed on too few hours in the school day (often lost to chorus, band or computer classes) and pressure to improve scores (failing to recognize the connection between fit bodies and mental acuity).
Students who aren’t active are fidgety and unfocused, which, teachers know, affects learning.
Oklahoma is one of three states in the nation with no requirement regarding how much time students spend in gym class; the school districts decide.
Although Oklahoma is the third most sedentary state in the U.S., in the Edmond schools this is not the case.
Education
Physical activity key for fitness
- Education
-
-
School board candidates release financial reports
Both candidates running for the Edmond school board District No. 1 seat filed their first of two financial reports with the school administration.
-
State schools to receive No Child Left Behind waiver
State Secretary of Education Phyllis Hudecki announced Thursday Oklahoma is one of 10 states chosen to receive a waiver from No Child Left Behind requirements.
-
Language Fair invites students of Native American languages
Students of Native American languages from preschool to high school age are encouraged to enter the 10th annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair, scheduled for April 2-3, at the Sam Noble Museum in Norman. Participants in grades pre-K through 12 will demonstrate their language skills as groups or individuals in the spoken language and language in song categories.
-
Edmond music educators bring home awards
Edmond has long been known for its high scholastic attainments, athletic achievements and an overall well-rounded education.
-
Memorial choir makes impression on principal
For many reasons, our January at school was wrought with emotional twists and turns. Both highs and lows wove throughout the month as we said hello to the promise of a new year and good-bye to the comfortable routines and faces of the past. It seemed to be a time to pull the wagons closer for shelter and consolation.
-
Memorial students get ready for 'Follies'
-
Board candidates discuss philosophies
Edmond Board of Education candidates for Seat No. 2 met in a candidate forum sponsored by West Field Elementary’s Parent Teacher Organization Thursday evening.
-
Edmond resident to lead DC 5th- and 6th-graders
Inspiring and empowering are two key words in the vocabulary of the new intermediate school principal recently hired by the Deer Creek School Board.
-
Edmond schools place in Future Cities
Judge Jim Miller questions Sequoyah Middle School students, from left, June Kim, Noah Frost and Isabella Mullaney, during the Future Cities competition at Oklahoma Christian University Jan. 14.
-
OCA wins academic tournament
The Oklahoma Christian Academy academic team placed first in the area academic tournament Jan. 14. Pictured are members Adam Jacob, junior; Matt Lowe, junior; Kara Drewke, senior; Mason Glidewell, senior; Riley Duckworth, senior; Kyler Hixson, senior; and Chase Yager, junior. Not pictured is Coach Becky Campbell.
- More Education Headlines
-
School board candidates release financial reports
