Kids can GO FAR!

With childhood obesity at an all time high, we as parents and educators need to do our part to motivate todays youth to get active.  One way that schools are getting involved is with a program called GO FAR or Go Out For A Run.  


The Facts About Childhood Obesity

• In North Carolina, over 30% of children are either overweight or obese. North Carolina has the 5th worst ranking in the United States for childhood obesity among 10 to 17 year olds.
• Guilford County’s childhood obesity statistics are even worse than the state averages.
  
• Overweight children have a 70-80% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.
  
• Obesity in adulthood increases the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, sleep apnea, arthritis, and general poor health.
  
• There are more than 25 scientific studies that show a positive relationship between a child’s level of physical activity as a factor of overall health and academic achievement. Children who are more active and generally healthier tend to perform better academically.
  
  

What is GO FAR?

• GO FAR is a nonprofit organization that is designed as a 10-week fitness program initiated to help combat childhood obesity.
• This program is designed for children of all abilities and promotes healthy eating habits and good character.
• Curriculum is taught each practice during cool down that teaches children and adults how to set goals, reach goals and successfully and safely complete a 5K run or walk/run as well as healthy eating habits and tips.

GO FAR at Southwest Elementary

• GO FAR practices are held two days a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting March 13th and ending the week before the race on May 12th.
• There are 110 students participating this year from SWE!  Teachers, staff, and parents are encouraged to get involved with both practices and on race day to support this great cause.  Many of our teachers, staff, and parents have already committed this year.
• If you have not already, make sure that you register for the race that will be held in downtown High Point on May 12, 2012.
• Students will report to practice at 2:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays dressed and ready.  Parents need to pick up their children at 3:45 each Tuesday and Thursday.
• Parents are encouraged to run with their children at practices, at home, and on race day.   It is a great way to get the whole family involved!

 GO FAR Tips

• Setting specific goals is a a great way to stay motivated. Setting and reaching a goal is the best way to see your progress.
• To be successful in running and all you do it is important to have a good attitude. Set realistic goals, practice hard and keep going when the going gets tough.
• GO Slow. It is ok to slow down.
• Avoid running the hottest part of the day. Choose early morning and late evening when the sun is low.
• Run in the shade. Find a trail that is in a wooded area to stay out of direct sun.
• Wear a hat and sunscreen.
• Drink plenty of water. Drink before, during and after your workout.
• Listen to your body! Don’t ignore signs and symptoms of over heating like dizziness, headache, fatigue and nausea. Get to a cool place quickly!
• Running shoes should be replaced every 4 to 6 months.  Check your running shoes and make sure that they fit well and have good traction and support.
• On the day of the race, think calm, positive thoughts. Just prior to the race, we will do some warm-up activities like jumping jacks and running in place. When you line up at the start of the race take a minute to look down and make sure your shoes are tied in a double knot. Then you are ready to go!!

GO FAR Testimonials 

• "My daughter, who has made it her mission to get out of PE whenever possible since kindergarten, signed up for the program at Southwest Elementary this year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was more than a little surprised when she asked me to sign the permission form to participate, and figured she might drop out about midway. Her farther and I couldn't have been more proud of her when she finished the race on Saturday. Academics have always come very easy for her, but physical education and sports are more intimidating and something she tends to avoid if given a choice. Finishing the 5K has boosted her confidence tremendously and she's eager to do it again--I am beyond thrilled to see that glimmer of resilience and perseverance in her." ~Yvonne (Mom from SWE)
• My kids and I have run in your road races for the past 3 years. Your program has changed our family and our fitness goals."  ~M. Townsend, Guilford County Schools, North Carolina

See you at the GO FAR finish line!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Healthy Habits for Kids

Are we as educators, parents, caregivers, and mentors enabling our kids to live a healthy lifestyle?  We as Americans have an obesity epidemic on our hands and we all need to work together to become a healthier nation.  
“While we've heard a lot about the problem of obesity, only recently communities, schools and workplaces are starting to intervene and impact the way we live. Until we really change the education factor — and say, look this is what you need to do to be healthy — we're not going to see a real change.” - Beth Trapani

Astounding Facts..

• The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to almost 20% in 2008. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to 18% over the same period.
• Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years.
• In 2008, and still today, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.

Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term health effects.

• Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. 
• Obese adolescents are more likely to have prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes.
• Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.
• Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. 
• Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for many types of cancers.

Preventative measures need to be taken.

• Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases.
• Diet and physical activity behaviors of children and adolescents are influenced by many sectors of society.  This includes families, communities, schools, child care settings, medical care providers, faith-based institutions, government agencies, the media, and the food and beverage industries and entertainment industries.
• Schools play a critical role by establishing a safe and supportive environment with policies and practices that support healthy living. Schools also provide opportunities for students to learn about and practice healthy eating and physical activity.

What can Educators do?

• Be a role model - Students look up to their teachers no matter what their age.  Educators should be setting the example by eating healthy in front of the students as well as taking part in physical activity, whether it be during recess or in after school programs.  
• Schools can take an active role by setting up programs that promote healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. 
• Get everyone involved! Adopt school wide programs that involve the staff, students, parents, and community.  

What can Parents and Caregivers do?

• Get moving as a family.  A great way to get both family time and exercise in is to plan to walk after dinner or have a game of kickball in the backyard.  
• Limit TV, video game, and internet time.  This will encourage the whole family to get out and find different activities to do together.
• Limit the amount of junk food and sodas kept in the house.  This will make everyone in the family feel better and will allow for more family dinners.
• Make sure everyone gets a good nights sleep and eats breakfast.  If your family is getting eight hours of sleep a night and waking up to a nutritious breakfast it will promote a healthy start to each day.

We all need to work together to see the end of childhood obesity.  We should all be asking ourselves if we are doing our part.

Pizza - A Vegetable?!?

I have a confession to make.  There are times when I eat school pizza.  Those square slices of the delicious wheat crust with just a hint of cardboard, and the latex like cheese that is just done enough to pull out of the oven... Mmmmmm... But truly, I do at times eat school food.  My class has the last lunch and by 12:30 after a morning full of rigorous lessons we are all starving.  Even the steaming, or cold, school food looks good to a food critics eye at that time of day.  

Recently school lunch has been under the microscope and the findings aren't good.
"The most important tool in modern school kitchens is apparently a box cutter — for opening the boxes the frozen stuff comes in," says Ed Bruske, a parent and food writer in Washington, D.C., who has become a school-lunch reformer.
Bruce is part of a new school lunch reform movement that began in early 2011 when President Obama signed a bill called the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.  Leading the movement is first lady Michelle Obama who is at the forefront of the fight to stop childhood obesity.  The contested legislation contains proposals to limit French fry servings to twice a week, reducing the amount of sodium in current school lunches, ensuring that kids get five servings of vegetables a week, and introducing whole grains. Despite many who are in line to make this change, congress stands at the back.  In November 2011 Congress blocked the proposed change introduced by the Obama administration which caused many critics to attack congress implying that congress has declared "pizza is now a vegetable".  However, in the face of opposition, the USDA as well as the Obama administration is still determined to make school lunch healthier for the children of America, proposing new reforms at a rapid pace.  

Chew on this - Which is healthier - School lunch or packed lunch?

Watch the video and share your thoughts.