The fight for youth fitness

Without a physical jump start early in life, today's less-active generation faces great risk of obesity, health problems now -- and later
By JOSH HACHAT • Sports Writer • July 6, 2008

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The numbers are equal parts terrifying and daunting.


There's the statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says nearly one-third of all children are overweight, a number that's nearly tripled in 30 years in certain age groups.

Also, an almost cryptic message from the CDC reports this generation of youths will be the first in recorded history that will not live as long as their parents, barring drastic change.

But Larry Miller doesn't need to see statistics to see what's happening, even in Licking County. His inexact theory is good enough.

"I can't remember the last time I saw a group of kids on bikes riding around," said Miller, the general manager of The Advantage Club. "If you investigated the bikes sold in the 1960s and '70s to now for kids, there's probably a huge change.

"They don't do that type of exercise any more. The whole social aspect has changed."

In this regard, change isn't for the better.

Some studies show a leveling off in the skyrocketing number of obese and overweight children, but that still leaves the numbers at more than 10 million obese children older than 6.

It's not a pretty picture locally, either.

In 2005, Ohio ranked as the 13th fattest state in America, a number only slightly improved by a 16th-place finish in 2006.

Dr. John Applegate, a physician with Licking Memorial Pediatrics, said children in this area are a "little bit" above the national average when it comes to obesity, a situation he said needs to change.

"We need to start looking at kids as young as age 2 and start to intervene before we get kids that are early adolescents and their health and weight is terribly deteriorated," Applegate said.

"We really want to start kids on a healthy life, not just treat them when issues come up."

The issues these days are numerous. A report in Time Magazine said 70 percent of overweight adolescents will become overweight adults, a number that increases to 80 percent if they have an overweight parent.

Then there's the increased risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart problems.

Applegate said the type 2 diabetes is the most disturbing.

"When I was training in school, those were things that weren't an issue," Applegate said. "It's very shocking to me."

what went wrong
Miller has his theory, but he'll admit to plenty of contributing factors.

Everything from new forms of entertainment to poor nutrition and eating habits has contributed to the obesity trend.

"Kids typically spend an average of three to four hours a day watching television, and they live a sedentary lifestyle," said Shari Gallup, Family and Consumer Sciences educator at Ohio State University's Licking County Extension. "Kids are less fit than they were a generation ago."

There's also much more to divert a child's attention.

"Kids today have so many more options," Denison men's basketball coach Bob Ghiloni said. "There's so many more things to do other than shoot around.

"I went and shot around because I didn't want to watch Walter Cronkite on the news because all we had was three channels. Now, there's 200 channels and they can do other things."

Constance Wedemeyer, health and fitness coordinator at the Licking County Family YMCA, said many children are given unfair disadvantages by living in an unhealthy home.

"Parents really have to limit the time playing video games or watching television," Wedemeyer said. "Take them outside and go for a walk or a bicycle ride."

what to do
While the numbers and trends are disheartening, trainers and physicians readily will list multiple and manageable chances to decrease obesity.

The initial change -- from overhauling a diet plan to starting an exercise plan -- can be daunting, but even minor changes at first can make a big difference.

The key is at least committing to them.

"Our kids are so routined with sitting in front of a screen," Applegate said. "Turn it off and get them active, get them doing something."

Miller likes the idea of having a child use a trainer, mostly because they can provide enthusiasm and motivation.

Getting the child to be active without realizing they're doing physical work is a common idea. Clint Cox, the director of training at Total Athletic Development, puts children through several types of agility drills and bodyweight exercises.

But each session also ends with some sort of game that promotes working out without the youth realizing it.

"I think that's the key to what I do. You can't have the kids dreading it," Cox said. "If you're fighting with them every day, it's going to wear on them. There's so many different things; it's just doing something every day."

As long as it's being active and benefiting their cardiovascular system, Wedemeyer said children can do anything from bowling to jumping rope to walking to skateboarding.

But Miller agreed it's important to find something the child enjoys.

"I try to keep it fun, but it's just a matter of finding something and doing it," Miller said. "That keeps a kid hungry, and he can't wait to do it again."

Miller and Cox said doing physical activity two to three times per week for 30 to 40 minutes can put the wheels in motion for change.

Wedemeyer hopes for 20 to 30 minutes of some sort of cardiovascular activity can be done each day and Applegate uses a "5-2-1-almost none" theory, which means five servings of fruits and vegetables, no more than two hours of screen time, one hour of physical activity and almost no sugar drinks per day.

"If they think of a physical activity as fun, more than likely they'll want to do it," Gallup said.

being proactive
Locally, steps are being taken to promote a healthier lifestyle.

The YMCA, LMH and the OSU Extension developed the "Activate Youth" program to help assist families and obese children.

The 12-week program runs three times per week and helps them set fitness and nutrition goals. Wedemeyer uses a variety of exercises -- riding a stationary bike while playing video games is even an option -- and likes the response from those involved.

"We try to have it fun, so they like working out," Wedemeyer said. "The kids that stay in the program do very well."

Applegate said it's also crucial to become more aggressive in attacking the obesity problem, an attitude that could prove crucial in several areas.

"You see these kids that are obese, and you know they're taking a pounding from kids at school," Cox said. "Not to mention what it's doing for their future. It's taking a toll on them."

Josh Hachat can be reached at (740) 328-8557 or jhachat@newarkadvocate.com.

In your voice
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motherbear109 wrote:

I bet if you go back through the last 20 years and you compare the number of reported rapes, killings and molestations of children you will find a direct correlation between those numbers and the number of obese children in the US. When we make our streets safe for sex offenders and other deviants we make them unsafe for our children and parents have no choice but to keep children occupied in the home when they are unable to be directly at their side. Add in the economy and the need for dual incomes and you have children in daycare centers 10-12 hours a day and try as they might not every affordable day care center can offer swimming, dance, etc. We happen to be very fortunate and with a scholarship from the YMCA we are able to keep our children active in a safe environment. Even with the scholarships the Y offers there are many familes that can't afford a Y membership and for them there is no safe place to play. Buy my children a bike and feed them to the sharks - NO WAY!
7/6/2008 11:09:52 PM I bet if you go back through the last 20 years and you compare the number of reported rapes, killings and molestations of children you will find a direct correlation between those numbers and the number of obese children in the US. When we make our streets safe for sex offenders and other deviants we make them unsafe for our children and parents have no choice but to keep children occupied in the home when they are unable to be directly at their side. Add in the economy and the need for dual incomes and you have children in daycare centers 10-12 hours a day and try as they might not every affordable day care center can offer swimming, dance, etc. We happen to be very fortunate and with a scholarship from the YMCA we are able to keep our children active in a safe environment. Even with the scholarships the Y offers there are many familes that can't afford a Y membership and for them there is no safe place to play. Buy my children a bike and feed them to the sharks - NO WAY! motherbear109
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Granville Recreation Commission and Northridge Youth Athletic Association teams play in April. Most doctors include daily cardiovascular activity, such as exercise and sports, as part of a regimen to fight youth obesity. (Eric George, The Advocate)

Coming up


In next Sunday's edition of The Advocate, Sports Writer Josh Hachat will continue to look at the current state of youth fitness and ways to improve the situation.

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