European Study on Obesity

England

The BBC News reports that a recent study found only 10% of school age children had the physical activity they needed for cardiovascular health. The Lancet suggests that students increase physical activity or risk obesity and heart disease.

Problem: Sedentary Lives

Twenty years ago children walked to school. Today, parents drive their children to school even if they live only a few blocks away. A generation ago, students got home from school and ran outside to see where their friends were. Today, they run to their computers or iPods and see who is on MSN or MySpace. In the past, television had only a few channels and if nothing was of interest, kids chose to go outside. Today, they have over 100 channels to choose from and are likely to find something to watch instead of getting fresh air and exercise. And, more and more education is being offered over the computer through virtual high schools. The increased use of computers and other technology among young children has many concerned about student computer injuries.

Schools Under Pressure

In school, students had more time to get outside for recess and participate in P.E. Today, more and more time is being cut from physical activity to make time for academics. No Child Left Behind in the U.S. is demanding growth in math and reading to the extent that schools must find more time to teach. P.E. and recess are often areas to be cut to add teaching time.

Study Findings

The Lancet reports that obesity rates have tripled in the past 20 years. Ten out of 100 children under the age of six are technically obese.

Students ages 9 and 15 were asked to wear monitors. The factors being addressed were blood pressure, weight and cholesterol. These three were combined to calculate a risk factor score. These scores were used to monitor progress.

Risks Decreased

The study with children from Denmark, Estonia, and Portugal found that if 9 year old students participated in physical activity for 116 minutes per day, they significantly lowered their risk scores. 15 year olds could do the same in 88 minutes. The students did not need to participate in vigorous exercise to achieve this. The same effect could be achieved by walking for 90 minutes at 4 km per hour.

For Best Results

90 minutes of exercise seems to be the magic number for reducing health risks according to Professor Lars Bo Anderson from the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences in Oslo.

Walking to and from school could equal 30 minutes, recess at school would add another 20, P.E. class would account for an additional 30 minutes. 10-20 minutes after school would provide the needed exercise. However, since many schools are cutting recess and P.E. time, more responsibility falls on the parents to ensure the children are active and healthy.

The U.S. has instructed schools to remove soda and junk food machines to reduce sugar consumption for the 2006-07 school year. Some schools have even turned to organic foods in the hot lunch program. The food companies are now trying to replace soda machines with water and juice products.

England's Goal

The British government has set a goal for all students to receive two hours of P.E. or sport a day by the year 2010. This will significantly change school schedules but the British have taken a very proactive approach to reduce obesity.

Copyright article 2006. Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.

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