by April Durrett
Shine a light into the darkness of girls’adolescent years by conducting sports or fitness programs.
Throughout childhood, most young girls are outgoing, self-confident, curious adventurers interested in exploring the world and all it has to offer. Happy with themselves and their place in the world, they interact positively with their families and friends.
by Jennie McCary, MS, RD, LD
Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about children’s nutrition.
Childhood is
the time when kids establish eating patterns that can last a lifetime. Parents
and caregivers can help nourish their children’s growing bodies and teach
children how to make informed, nutritious food choices. Unlike many adults,
young kids are eager to learn and copy what the grownups around them are doing.
This affords parents a great opportunity to instill positive attitudes toward
food and impart important lessons about portion control, moderation and
balance. This article examines the questions that parents most frequently ask
nutrition experts on how to build healthy eating habits in children and
adolescents.
by Grant D. McAdaragh, MS, & Jeffrey M. Janot, Phd
What trainers need to know to accurately assess fitness levels in children.
Over the past 20 years, a great deal has
changed regarding the health issues that plague our youth. Two decades ago,
health experts were focused on preventing accidental poisonings, teen
pregnancy, gang involvement, violence and drug addiction. Nowadays, childhood
obesity and the diseases associated with being overweight are the primary
health concerns.
by Jennie McCary, MS, RD, LD
This step-by-step guide can be your blueprint for implementing a new government mandate to improve the diets and exercise habits of students in your district!
In the fight against
childhood obesity, the school environment has received a good deal of attention
because of its potential to influence a large number of school-aged children
and their families. This school year, a new federal mandate went into effect that
requires school districts throughout the United States to implement local
wellness policies to improve the eating and physical activity habits of
students. This mandate presents a unique way in which fitness professionals at
every level can work closely with local school administrators, parents,
students, staff and other allied health professionals to create and implement
wellness policies in schools.
This
article reviews the basic requirements for local school wellness policies,
highlights the need for state and local action and profiles several existing,
innovative school programs that promote healthy foods and physical activity.
You’ll also learn how you can play a role in supporting school wellness
initiatives in your community.
by Doyeon Kim, MS, and Len Kravitz, PhD
Become an advocate for kids by taking a leadership role in the war on obesity.
Fitness professionals know that the
number of overweight or obese children in the United States and other developed
countries is increasing at an alarming rate. However, it is difficult to track
the prevalence of this obesity epidemic, since there is such variability in how experts define which
children are overweight or obese.
Additionally, while we know that physical activity patterns and
diet are contributing factors to this increase in overweight youth, our
understanding of all contributing factors is presently incomplete. This article
will examine the known negative consequences of childhood obesity and the
recommended prevention and treatment options that fitness professionals can
employ when dealing with youth.
by Natalie Digate Muth, MPH, RD
If you have a passion for promoting fun and fitness in children and teens, the time may be right to break into the burgeoning youth market.
From Dallas to Montreal, from
Chicago to Los Angeles, youth-based personal training and group classes are
hot. The burst in popularity may be due to growing concern about the epidemic
of childhood inactivity and obesity, a stronger push to groom athletes from a
young age, greater scientific acceptance of resistance training for children,
or other motivations—and pressures—to get kids and teens moving. Whatever the
reasons, youth training and coaching have evolved into a $4 billion industry
reaching thousands of youngsters (McWilliams 2004). If you are thinking about
starting—or growing—a youth-based personal training business, read on for a
primer on this emerging trend.
by April Durrett
Boost the self-esteem of female teens and preteens through fitness and wellness programs.
“Self-esteem isn’t everything; it’s
just there’s nothing without it.”—Gloria Steinem
Many women whom you train or teach
struggle with body image issues, eating disorders and inactivity. While most
try to change destructive behavior patterns as adults, this is often a very
lengthy and painful process. The key is to prevent these behaviors from
forming at all. One way to do that is to address self-esteem issues during the
preteen (9-12) and teen (13-17) years.
As a fitness professional, you can play a significant role in
improving girls’ self-esteem. Encouraging physical activity helps stop
destructive behaviors from developing. Here’s a look at the types of fitness
activities girls prefer, some ways you can incorporate self-esteem-building activities into your work and reasons why it’s important to focus on
fitness and wellness.
by Valerie Applebaum, MPH, CHES
Children need help to live healthy lifestyles, and you are in the perfect position to provide that help.
The
statistics on America’s childhood obesity epidemic are well known, but that
does not make them any less shocking. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, obesity among children ages 6–11 has more than doubled
in the past 20 years. The rate among adolescents (12–19 years) has more than
tripled, growing from 5% to 16%. And the problem does not stop at childhood.
Overweight young people are more likely to become overweight adults at
increased risk for future health problems, including heart disease, diabetes
and osteoarthritis. What can you do to help combat this growing problem?
The good news is that you have the ability to help effectively
deal with this health crisis while simultaneously increasing profits for your
facility. The thing to remember is that healthy kids = happy parents. Providing
well-organized kids’ programs leads to retention and increased membership among
adults as well.
by IDEA Health & Fitness Association
Childhood is the time when kids establish eating patterns that can last a lifetime.
Childhood is the time when kids establish
eating patterns that can last a lifetime. Teach your children how to make
informed nutritious food choices with these suggestions from Jennie McCary, MS,
RD, LD, community nutritionist for the Albuquerque Public Schools and chair of
the New Mexico Action for Healthy Kids.
by Natalie Digate Muth, MPH, RD
10 ways to work with schools to improve kids’ fitness.
As a fitness professional, you ignite a passion for physical
activity in each person with whom you work. You empower clients to achieve
their fitness goals, and you inspire them to develop a lifelong commitment to maintaining their health and well-being. In
this sense, you are accomplishing your mission.
