ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended last week (July 12, 2008) that cholesterol-reducing drugs be considered for children as young as 8.
That's just outrageous. Not that they made the recommendation. But, that our kids are this far gone. How much junk food and inactivity is our country going to tolerate?
Adult obesity has more than DOUBLED in the last three decades, and the percentage of overweight children has nearly TRIPLED, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
So now, our children's arteries are so thoroughly clogged that statins (like Lipitor), may be a necessary part of treatment.
Dah..... According to government statistics, only 2% of high schools have daily physical education.
A year ago, the AAP testified before a House subcommittee that leisure activity for children is "increasingly sedentary," as they are tethered more and more to electronics - from e-mail to computer games to cellphones.
Television also remains a key source of screen time, and the Kaiser Family Foundation last year reported that commercials for food topped the advertising seen by children, with 44 percent of "food" ads being for candy, snacks, and fast food. Not surprisingly, there were no ads targeted to children for fruits or vegetables.
Dr. David Ludwig, director of the obesity program at Boston's Children's Hospital, criticized society overall for not taking "the basic public health steps" to stem it. Asked what percentage of this crisis was created by lifestyle and environment, Dr. Ludwig said, "99.9 percent."
Once again, I wonder why our fitness industry (especially the trade associations and publications) does not have a public outreach education program - like "Got Milk?" or MADD or any number of education based programs. Don't you?
Hi Art..... I already heard The AAP recommendation and was just as shocked in reading your blog and it hitting home a second time.
With my entire goal for people in general being their "best health" and my love of kids, I started an 8wk. course called Nutrition in Motion - KIDS. This came during my position within three World Gym locations and having the availability to over 20,000 members. I listened to parent complaints about the lack of programs for their kids under the age of 14yrs. on a daily basis. Hence..... my development of Nutrition & Dance, 8 weeks, 90 minutes each with the kids' rockin' music. I want to tell you that I offered three different sessions jammed packed with handouts, games, dance and tons of FUN, FUN, FUN. I even incorporated my Grocery Shopping Trip for a grand total of 13+ hours at the amazing cost of $129.00!! The most kids I ever had in a session was 8, yes that's right!..... E I G H T !!!!!!!
Hello P A R E N T S..... where are you? If affordability is the issue, then a few words of advice: GET YOUR KIDS MOVING! IT'S FREE! Stop letting the TV, XBox, PS2 and other computer games be your babysitter. Get ACTIVE! And secondly, clean out your pantry. I hear over and over, "I don't allow my kids any candy". However, during pantry checks I find every white-floured snack ever created and every sugary drink in every size, shape and color imaginable. Then you tell me how many times you pick up fast food and homespun milkshakes. Get it together folks! It's not rocket science but it does take some common application and at times, an enormous amount of energy to lead your kids in the right direction. If you lead, I promise they will follow. They are like sponges just waiting to absorb. Take just a small amount of the love you have for your children and focus it on THEIR HEALTH. It's for the rest of their lives! And life's natural progression will take place - we shall pass from this life "Before" our kids - as it should be.
You can make a difference ----
YOURS IN GOOD HEALTH,
Patricia Woody,
Certified Nutritionist,Wellness Consultant,
Dance Instructor & Personal Trainer
Posted by: Patricia Woody | July 16, 2008 at 06:39 AM