Abstract
Current health education and physical fitness programs have failed to prevent the youth obesity epidemic. The diminishing emphasis placed on such programs due to curricular and budgetary constraints results in few opportunities to promote students’ active participation in regular physical activity and health education programs. Findings indicate that a successful program to promote healthy nutrition, an active lifestyle, and regular physical exercise requires that the information is easily accessible, and presented in a clear and concise format. Readers are introduced to a comprehensive program, easily adjustable throughout the K-8 curriculum. It is designed to complement regular classroom activities by introducing a series of stand-alone lessons and activities to educate students on the benefits of regular exercise and healthy lifestyle. This program can be used in any community and can offer the youth population the information they need to create healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
Highlights
In the United States, over 18% of children ages 6-11 are obese; a number which is rising rapidly each year (American Obesity Association, 2002)
Several studies have pointed out that as obese children mature into overweight adults, they will be at risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes (U.S Department of Health & Human Services, 2006)
It is accessible to teachers and will help schools to meet the government requirements for Health and Physical Fitness
Summary
In the United States, over 18% of children ages 6-11 are obese; a number which is rising rapidly each year (American Obesity Association, 2002) If these children continue to be overweight throughout their childhood and adolescence, they will have a 70% chance of being overweight or obese as adults (U.S Department of Health & Human Services, 2006). There is a need for an education program that promotes a healthy lifestyle and regular physical exercise to youth in schools. A program that addresses these key strategies through a series of stand-alone lessons to compliment regular classroom activities had been proposed These activities will focus on creating healthy habits, emphasizing nutrition, physical fitness, and simple physiology. Implemented by any educator, these lessons will teach the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle, thereby offering and important strategy in the fight against childhood obesity
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