Parenting: Exercising Important Even if Kids Don’t Lose Weight
The research shows that school-based programs increased the time children spent
exercising and reduced the time spent watching television. Programs also reduced blood cholesterol levels and improved fitness
– as measured by lung capacity. However, programs made little impact on weight, blood pressure or leisure time activities.
Physical inactivity is a key factor behind 1.9 million deaths every year and
almost a quarter of all cases of coronary heart disease. People who are overweight as children are more likely to develop
heart disease as adults. Exercise helps to maintain a healthy weight, yet studies show most children do not do enough exercise
to give any health benefit. The World Health Organisation has identified schools as important settings for promotion of physical
activity among children.
"Given that there are at least some beneficial effects, we would recommend
that schools continue their health promotion programs. These activities should also be supported by public health unit staff,
and parents and teachers as positive role models," says lead researcher, Maureen Dobbins, who works at the School of Nursing at McMaster University
in Ontario, Canada.
Dobbins believes that schools should make spaces in their timetables to create
environments that encourage pupils to engage in physical activity each day as well as having an ethos that encourages increased
duration of moderate to vigorous activity each week. "Schools have great opportunities to help pupils learn how to promote
health and minimise the risk of acquiring a chronic disease. Providing a healthy structure to their day should enable them
to develop healthier lifestyles that may track in adulthood," she says.
Because children may view exercising as work, “the key is to promote
physical activity by getting children and adolescents to 'play' in ways that promote better fitness levels, while at the same
time represent fun and adventurous activities," says Dobbins.
For more on the study, click on:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090120204919.htm
