Re-Building the healthy ChildRe-Building the healthy Child

Scott Fleurant, ACE-CPTScott Fleurant, ACE-CPTSaco Sport & FitnessSaco Sport & Fitness

329 North St.329 North St.Saco, Maine 04072Saco, Maine 04072207-284-5953 x41207-284-5953 x41

scottf@sacofitness.comscottf@sacofitness.comCIS115 CIS115 8/10/088/10/08

OuR OveRweight ChildRenOuR OveRweight ChildRen

Is there a problem? And, if so….is there a Is there a problem? And, if so….is there a solution?solution?

yes, theRe is a pROBlem!yes, theRe is a pROBlem!

The prevalence of obesity among children aged The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years going from 6.5% in 1980 to 17% in 2006. (1)going from 6.5% in 1980 to 17% in 2006. (1)

The rate among adolescents aged 12 – 19 more The rate among adolescents aged 12 – 19 more than tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.6% during than tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.6% during the same period. (1)the same period. (1)

yes, theRe is a pROBlem!!!yes, theRe is a pROBlem!!!

why is this happening?why is this happening?

Increased caloric intake/decreased nutritional value:Increased caloric intake/decreased nutritional value:2.2. Increase in sugar loaded soda’s and sports drinks.Increase in sugar loaded soda’s and sports drinks.3.3. Increase in serving size’s at restaurants……would you Increase in serving size’s at restaurants……would you

like that “Super Sized Today”?like that “Super Sized Today”?4.4. Vending machines in schools that contain products Vending machines in schools that contain products

with no nutritional value!with no nutritional value!5.5. The increase in consumption of processed foods, and The increase in consumption of processed foods, and

the decrease in home cooked meals.the decrease in home cooked meals.6.6. The skipping of breakfast (the most important meal of The skipping of breakfast (the most important meal of

the day is not a wives tale!!the day is not a wives tale!!7.7. The lack of nutritional education!!!The lack of nutritional education!!!

why why isis thisthis happening ii? happening ii?

Decrease in physical activity:Decrease in physical activity:

2.2. The explosion of the technology industryThe explosion of the technology industryToo much TVToo much TV

Too much time playing video games (although the Too much time playing video games (although the Wii has actually incorporated physical activities into Wii has actually incorporated physical activities into their games).their games).

Too much time in front of a computer, on a cell Too much time in front of a computer, on a cell phone, or playing a hand held game.phone, or playing a hand held game.

whatwhat Can we dO aBOut it? Can we dO aBOut it?

The 3 E’s!The 3 E’s!– EducateEducate - Educate our children on the benefits of - Educate our children on the benefits of

healthy eating and exercise.healthy eating and exercise.– EncourageEncourage - Encourage our children to participate in - Encourage our children to participate in

more outdoor activities, sports, and exercise more outdoor activities, sports, and exercise programsprograms

– ExampleExample - As parents, we should lead by example. - As parents, we should lead by example. Children often become by-products of their Children often become by-products of their surroundings. If others in the home are actively surroundings. If others in the home are actively exercising, and eating healthy the odds would favor exercising, and eating healthy the odds would favor our children doing the same. our children doing the same.

But, is exeRCise safe fOR But, is exeRCise safe fOR ChildRen?ChildRen?

Strength training can be a safe and effective activity for this age Strength training can be a safe and effective activity for this age group provided that the program is properly designed and group provided that the program is properly designed and competently supervised. (2)competently supervised. (2)Generally speaking, if children are ready for participation in Generally speaking, if children are ready for participation in organized sports or activities -- such as Little League baseball, organized sports or activities -- such as Little League baseball, soccer, or gymnastics-- then they are ready for some type of soccer, or gymnastics-- then they are ready for some type of strength training. (2) strength training. (2) Properly designed and competently supervised youth strength Properly designed and competently supervised youth strength training programs may not only increase the muscular strength of training programs may not only increase the muscular strength of children and adolescents, but may also enhance motor fitness skills children and adolescents, but may also enhance motor fitness skills (e.g., sprinting and jumping) and sports performance. Preliminary (e.g., sprinting and jumping) and sports performance. Preliminary evidence suggests that youth strength training may also decrease evidence suggests that youth strength training may also decrease the incidence of some sport injuries by increasing the strength of the incidence of some sport injuries by increasing the strength of tendons, ligaments and bone. (2)tendons, ligaments and bone. (2)Although the issue of childhood obesity is complex, youth strength Although the issue of childhood obesity is complex, youth strength training programs may also play an important role in effective weight training programs may also play an important role in effective weight loss strategies. (2)loss strategies. (2)

tOgetheRtOgetheR, we Can , we Can Re-BuildRe-Build the the healthy Child!healthy Child!

Plan more home cooked meals.Plan more home cooked meals.Encourage our children to eat a healthy breakfast.Encourage our children to eat a healthy breakfast.Limit TV/video game time.Limit TV/video game time.Get our kids to play more outside instead of on a computer.Get our kids to play more outside instead of on a computer.Participate in exercise activities with them. i.e. biking, hiking, Participate in exercise activities with them. i.e. biking, hiking, basketball, canoeing, swimming, after dinner walks etc.basketball, canoeing, swimming, after dinner walks etc.Avoid fast food chains.Avoid fast food chains.Get a family membership at your local health club.Get a family membership at your local health club.Make it fun!!Make it fun!!Healthy children stand a much better chance of becoming healthy Healthy children stand a much better chance of becoming healthy adults. We should all wish this for our kids. adults. We should all wish this for our kids. WE CAN DO THIS!WE CAN DO THIS!

BiBliOgRaphyBiBliOgRaphy

(1) Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Flegal KM. (1) Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Flegal KM. High Body Mass Index for Age Among US High Body Mass Index for Age Among US Children and Adolescents, 2003-2006. Children and Adolescents, 2003-2006. JAMA. 2008;299(20):2401-2405. JAMA. 2008;299(20):2401-2405. Childhood Obesity - DASH/Childhood Obesity - DASH/HealthyYouthHealthyYouth

(2) By Dr. Avery D. Faigenbaum(2) By Dr. Avery D. FaigenbaumUniversity of Massachusetts-Boston University of Massachusetts-Boston Youth Strength TrainingYouth Strength Training..