There’s been a lot of press coverage on the study we highlighted in last week's blog about children doing less physical activity as they get older. We now know that students’ physical fitness declines with age as well.
The Texas Education Association recently released a report of the results from fitness testing done in Texas schools this spring. Over 2.5 million children from grades 3 through 12 completed tests to assess physical fitness in six areas – cardiovascular endurance, body fat, abdominal strength, upper body strength, shoulder flexibility, and back strength and flexibility. The Cooper Institute’s FITNESSGRAM fitness assessment program was used as the testing protocol. Among third graders, 28% of boys and 32% of girls attained the “Healthy Fitness Zone” for all six tests. For high school seniors, less than 10% of girls and boys reached the “Healthy Fitness Zone” on all of the tests. Click here for more information on the Texas schools results.
This report and the recent Journal of the American Medical Association study tell us that kids get less fit and less active as they get older. And sedentary habits in childhood can lead to sedentary habits in adulthood. There are no easy answers to solving this potentially devastating trend. But there are groups, including The Cooper Institute, that are working hard to find the answers. In addition to our FITNESSGRAM program, we offer ACTIVITYGRAM, software that assesses students’ physical activity status and provides a report for parents on how to improve their students’ activity level.
Another Cooper Institute youth-related activity is Our Kids’ Health®. This initiative is aimed at reducing childhood obesity through improved physical activity and healthy eating practices. Our Kids’ Health® will equip students, schools, and parents with information, resources, and data that will mobilize communities to take action to support and encourage physical activity and healthy eating in our youth. Click here to learn about Our Kids' Health® and how you can make a donation to help support this important effort.
Being physically active is a key factor in maintaining calorie balance. Right now, we are at risk for a whole generation being out of calorie balance. This will lead to even higher levels of obesity in youth and in adults. Stay tuned to the Stand Up & Eat web site for new resources that parents, teachers, and children can use to learn about calorie literacy.
So what do you think are ways we can keep our kids physically active and physically fit throughout their lives?
