Students need support to eat right and exercise
You could say McMinnville Parks and Recreation is on the right track by informing local educators about the benefits of fitness walking.
Our schools and our teachers need to preach the importance of physical activity, coupled with a sensible diet, as much as possible. That’s because it appears our children aren’t eager to chase after that message themselves.
A recent assembly of student congress members throughout the state was intended to give teens a taste of the challenges faced by lawmakers and school board members. It may have done just that, but it also showed 93 percent of high school students oppose removing vending machines from schools. While not such an overwhelming majority, it was also eye-catching to see 48 percent opposed yearly exercise and nutrition classes.
It doesn’t take a genius to determine why America’s waistline is in need of a bigger belt. We eat more junk food and exercise less.
This is a statistic that doesn’t bypass our children. The latest figures furnished by the Surgeon General show 15 percent of Americans age 6 to 19 are overweight. The Surgeon General also reports 70 people of people overweight during their childhood are overweight as adults.
To make progress in this battle of the bulge, Warren County’s schools are currently engaged in a month-long walking competition designed to encourage additional physical activity. The classes and schools which walk the most miles will receive everyone’s favorite gift – money.
These are steps we need to continue to take in Warren County as we try to shift toward fitness and move away from obesity. Considering students love junk food, and almost half don’t want to exercise or learn about proper nutrition, the task ahead is not easy. That’s why as adults, more than ever, we need to encourage such behavior.