Back
to Basics:
Let’s Walk and Roll
By Tim
“T-Bone” Arem
All across
America, we hear about overweight kids. I’ve run into countless
numbers of adults who share their personal stories of when they were
young they had P.E. five days per week, walked two miles to school,
played outdoors after school until dark. Summits are taking place on
a national level to seek solutions to our societal dilemma. Why are
doctors and people who follow trends in the youth culture so concerned
about our kids’ weight?
Here’s
what we know for sure:
There is a dramatic increase in type 2 diabetes among children. The
combination of physical inactivity and poor diet has been a contributing
factor. In the past 20 years, the number of children who are obese and
have diabetes has increased nationwide by 300%. Physical inactivity
contributes to chronic conditions such as coronary heart disease, hypertension,
colon cancer, and osteoporosis. Forty percent of all elementary schools
have cut recess or are in the process of doing it. Overweight children
are more likely to become overweight adults. The recommended amount
of moderate or vigorous physical daily activity is 60 minutes. Physicians
and experts recommend no more than two hours of TV and computer per
day. Poor diet and physical inactivity lead to 300,000 deaths each year.
There is a link with obesity and asthma in girls and young women 9 to
26 years old. Obesity is on track to surpass tobacco as the top U.S.
killer. Obesity is rising fast among pre-schoolers and is up 10%. Childhood
obesity is linked to depression and self-image.
Let’s
take a moment to look at the positive things occurring in our society
with this crisis. We are starting to see a change in school food service.
Salad bars and healthy juices instead of soft drinks are making their
way into the schools. The new government food pyramid includes an exercise
component, and is geared more to the individual. Healthier food choices
are being offered at restaurants especially fast food eating establishments.
We need
to change our priorities as a society. I would love to see a back-to-basics
approach. An example of this is having a family dinner be a pleasant
and secure experience. It would be nice to create meals and eat together.
Family dinner always seemed to be a place for family bonding in our
household.
For a fun
family weekend take a bike ride, organize an Olympic day in the neighborhood,
or a day of hiking and walking. There are so many choices for the youth
of today that can take their time away from being active. If the whole
family is supportive and into the activity the children are more likely
to join in. The adults in the household are the closest role models
and the children tend to follow their lead.
T-Bone's
Fitness Mania
The
nationally touring school show T-Bone's Fitness Mania hits the
streets in September. The tour is slated to reach 500,000 children
at 100 schools and 200 performances over a 10-month period.
The
theme of the stage show is encouraging an active lifestyle and
making healthy food choices. These messages are conveyed through
the use of circus theater arts, exercise, stories magic, and music.
The areas of focus are: Respect for self and others, developing
good character traits, teachers as heroes, balancing the media
at home with being active, exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
in our bodies, stretching, brain mastery through exercise, endorphin
release in the body, heart fitness, flexibility, fruits, vegetables,
and grains, hydration, anything is possible if you believe, strength/resistance/fitness,
and BMI.
The
assemblies for ages K to 5 are followed by classroom workshops.
In these 10 to 15 minute sessions, T-Bone leads the children and
teachers in resistance training with resistance bands he provides.
This segment is popular with the schools.
For
additional information or to schedule a fitness and health performance,
contact: Tim Arem, 828-298-4789 or email tbonerun@hotmail.com. |
One
of the newer forms of doing a healthy and fun activity is Nordic walking.
I find this social activity to be exhilarating. Being able to use poles
when walking can be a bit tricky to start with. Not only do you have
to worry about one foot in front of another, but with the addition of
the poles the coordination problems fly right out the window. After
the technique is mastered, which can be done in an hour’s time,
the activity is fantastic. The children whom I have taught Nordic walking
love the experience. A new twist is added to an age-old activity with
the cool poles.
The benefits
of Nordic walking are many. It’s a form of exercise that uses the
whole body. Nordic walking allows you to burn 40% more calories than
traditional walking. The activity reduces pressure on joints, and increases
oxygen consumption 20% to 25%.
With education
and the help of families and communities we can get back to a society
that sees being active and making healthy eating choices a priority
and a part of our everyday life.
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Award-winning
fitness educator Tim Arem, shares health, fitness, and entertainment
with children and adults of all ages. In the guise of T-Bone, a
brightly colored costumed running enthusiast and educator, Arem
shares the benefits of children's health and physical
fitness. For more information logon to www.tbonerun.com. |
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