| America's kids are getting increasingly overweight and out
of shape, and fixing the problem will require an overhaul in the way schools, families
and others view physical activity, says a government report released today.
The report to President Clinton on youth physical activity and sports is being touted
as the first of its kind. It says the percentage of children who are overweight has
doubled since 1980.
Currently, about 25% of children are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.
Also, daily enrollment in high school physical education classes dropped from 42% in
1991 to 29% in 1999.
The report is "addressing a new generation of young people who are in large part
inactive, unfit and increasingly overweight," says Jeffrey Koplan, director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Koplan says that children who become
overweight are set up for the lifelong task of coping with it.
Howell Wechsler , a CDC health scientist, says, "We didn't get into this mess
overnight, and to get out of it is going to take major changes in many sectors of
society."
Among the recommendations:
 Help all
kids receive quality, daily physical education. That, along with health education,
recess and extracurricular activities, can help children develop the knowledge, skills
and behaviors to adopt and maintain active lifestyles.
Educate
parents and families on the importance of physical activity and how they can help young
people become more active. Parents can set a good example by being active themselves.
Help youth
sports and recreation programs provide coaches and staff with the training they need to
provide safe, enjoyable activities.
Enable
more after-school care programs to provide regular opportunities for safe, physical
play.
Help
provide transportation to community sports and recreation for all young people.
Help
communities develop and promote the use of safe, well-maintained and close-to-home
sidewalks, bike paths, trails and recreation facilities.
"We may have to retrofit some communities and install sidewalks on very busy
streets," Koplan says. "That's not some weirdo public health notion, but it makes the
communities more attractive."
Implement
a media campaign to promote physical education.
The report comes from Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala and Education
Secretary Richard Riley at the request of President Clinton.
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