It has been just over a week since students in B.C. returned to school. These enthusiastic adolescents were greeted with a few changes including mandatory daily physical activity.

 

The Ministry of Education has prescribed a daily half hour of physical activity for kindergarten to grade nine and 2 ½ hours a week for senior students (Grades 10-12) including physical education classes and/or extra-curricular activities (i.e. basketball or volleyball).

 

So, why is the government implementing these changes? It's clear that these changes are based on good, solid and well thought out medical research. Canadian youth have changed their lifestyles. According to Canada’s Report Card of Physical Activity for Children and Youth for 2008 the average Canadian kid spends four to six hours daily in front of a television set, either watching shows or playing video games. This is three times longer than recommended guidelines. The report finds that more than one in four Canadian children and youth are overweight or obese.

 

In addition, a whopping 90 per cent of Canadian youth are still failing to meet the criteria outlined in Canada’s Physical Activity Guidelines, according to a recent Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth released by Active Healthy Kids Canada.

 

Dr. Mark Tremblay, Chief Scientific Officer-Senior Scientific Advisor for Health Measurement,
Statistics Canada stated: "The results of the Report Card are very disturbing. This trend of extreme inactivity in today's children and youth will have an enormous impact on their development and potentially lead to long-term health issues including diabetes, cardio vascular disease and a range of chronic degenerative conditions. Given that screen time has been revealed as a major contributor to inactivity, it's critical that children and youth turn off the gadgets and get moving."

 

I wholeheartedly support this new policy. I hope that this initiative springboards kids to even more exercise in the future. I believe that it is our responsibility (parents, teachers etc…) to society and to the young people that we educate and remain proactive in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

 

I’m not sure how this will be monitored or policed in the schools, but I hope the teachers are following the new guidelines. In fact, it is crucial that educators “set the tone” and role model positive choices for our students. Teachers need to get children back on track, and devote more time in school to walking, running, and/or playing sports.

 

Yes, the core subjects (Math, English, Science, Social Studies etc…) remain vitally important to a student’s development, but current research emphasizes the importance of exercise. In fact, scientific research shows a very strong and positive correlation between exercise and student academic success.

 

Although it is vital to promote daily physical activity in the schools it is also the parents’ responsibility to take note and try to set an example. Parents frequently tell their kids that their health should always be a priority, but they should not only “talk the talk” but “walk the walk” and role model a lifestyle with healthy choices.

 

Schools in Prince George, and the rest of the province, have banned junk food which is a very good
move. Of course, kids can get it elsewhere, but setting positive guidelines, and limiting accessibility is the key. 

I am certainly not suggesting that kids shouldn’t enjoy life and their childhood. In fact, there’s nothing wrong with having a chocolate bar and a pop, but if you are going to polish down half a dozen “ho ho's” in one sitting, there will be a price to pay later.

 

It's a well known fact that proper nutrition and exercise can reduce the incidence of type II diabetes by 90 per cent, reduce the incidence of most types of cancer by 50 per cent and reduce the impact of cardiovascular diseases and strokes by 30 per cent.

Yes, our society has certainly changed since I attended school in the 60’s and 70’s. The Provincial Government is telling the public that BC now has the highest school health standards in Canada. Although this may be true, more could be done. 

 

Exercise doesn’t have to be grueling, and put in the right context, can be fun. The health care system will be in much better “shape” on a long term basis with proper emphasis addressing this issue at an early age in schools.

 

 

 

“New York City has begun tracking overweight students through school as a way to combat obesity. They're not too hard to find. Just wait near the cafeteria and they will show up.” Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)

“Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin's 17 year old daughter Bristol is pregnant by her boyfriend, an 18 year old hockey player. Apparently being a "hockey mom" runs in the family.” Jim Barach 

“As if vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin didn't have enough problems it turns out the father of her unwed daughters' baby is Travis Henry.”Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

“Canadians had to be pleased to have the first "hockey mom" nominated for U.S. Vice President. But the way things are going, Sarah Palin could turn out to be the most embarrassing thing for the sport since the Maple Leafs.”
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

 

 

“It’s only been one week, and for Tom Brady, the NFL season is over. Now he knows how it feels to be a 49ers fan.” Janice Hough 

“Now, they say that Gisele Bunchen is a jinx to Tom Brady. They're releasing a song about Bunchen and Jessica Simpson called 'Dueling Bimbos'.”Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

“Detroit Lions running back Rudi Johnson claims that recently released former Lions RB Tatum Bell stole two pieces of his luggage. It's the most famous case of stolen baggage since the Patriots got Randy Moss from the Raiders."
Bill Littlejohn

 

“Michael Phelps is set to host the Saturday Night Live season opener on Sept. 13. I understand there will be a .01 second tape delay.” Bill Littlejohn

 

“Tennis player Mardy Fish and Stacey Gardner, a model on NBC's "Deal or No Deal," are scheduled to be married Sept. 28. In lieu of rice, well-wishers are asked to throw suitcases full of cash.”  Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times