I recently read an article in the IDEA Fitness Journal, January 2013. The article was titled “Kid’s Fitness Interventions Failing”. At first this article was quite alarming but when I read beyond the first paragraph, I became aware and eventually became validated about my ongoing theory on health and fitness.
The article summarized research from Plymouth University and the University of Exter, in England. The scientists analyzed 30 peer reviewed clinical trails, 14,326 participants, that were 16 years and younger. All studies included an accelerometer. “The systematic review found that physical activity interventions, on average, achieved small negligible increases in children’s total activity volume, with small improvements in the time spent in moderate or vigorous intensity activity (~4 minutes more walking or running per day), the clinical effort of which is likely to be minimal,” the authors reported (phew : ).
The article continued to state that the authors of the studies speculated that the QUALITY and intensity of the exercise intervention may have been somewhat low, which in return reduces the effectiveness.
And now my ongoing theory…
Health and fitness AT ANY AGE is not just about moving. I see this often with fad fitness programs, diets, etc. Seeing an immediate result is easy, however, long-term results do not happen that easily, hence the term “yo-yo” diets.
I am a firm believer that health and fitness leaders need to be QUALIFIED and lead by example. I am also a firm believer that Optimal Health cannot be achieved by physical activity alone. It is a commitment that includes physical activity, healthy nutrition, mental, AND financial health.
I am not surprised that the Kid’s Fitness Intervention failed, as it only addressed one aspect of fitness, and that is physical activity.
I have recently been put in charge of our facility’s vending machine. It is a challenge to find nonperishable foods that will appeal to kids as well as adults. I researched long and hard to find snacks that are healthy, proportioned, and tasty. After all, we all want to eat snacks that taste great. My theory is if ALL the choices are HEALTHY, then the child and/or parent will make a HEALTHY choice! Let’s see if my theory works : )
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