Even though kids are far less physically active than previous generations, it’s important to realize its value is not lost on them. So, it’s not surprising that when schools increase access to different modes of ‘active transportation’ they take advantage of the opportunity. Quick poll any group of third graders and they will recite the [...]
Parents are THE strongest influences on a child’s physical activity habit. Whether playing catch, transporting to sport practice, or consistently messaging positive messages about activity engagement and offering encouragement, parents largely determine what activity is done, when it’s done and for how long—patterns that tend to follow across the life-span. Hey, this is great news! [...]
My post yesterday railed on the pathetic, blatant, ANTI-health promoting messaging I witnessed a teacher direct to her students on a playground. Thankfully, today we are back on the sunny side of the street, for it is with great enthusiasm I report recent research that shows unquestioned evidence that school-aged kids can be motivated to [...]
While on a school playground yesterday, I watched a 5th grade teacher set the physical activity advocacy movement back to its dark age. After making it abundantly clear the playground was the last place she wanted to be and kickball the last thing she wanted to be dealing with—It was too hot (actually, a perfect [...]
Well, there you have it! After analyzing a decade’s worth of data that examined the academic performance (gpa, test scores, attendance) and aerobic fitness of hundreds of thousands of 5-7-9th graders, guess what! Researchers determined the more aerobically fit, the better the school performance. Or, more strongly messaged – fitter kids are smarter kids! How [...]
New data about childhood obesity intervention strengthens the evidence that has been compiling for a couple of years – comprehensive, umbrella strategies that involve the public-private and nonprofit sectors work! Said otherwise – it takes a village to combat childhood obesity, and villages are being built! New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angles and now San [...]