FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

Childhood Obesity Levels No Longer Increasing — Yay!

FitSugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:30:00 -0700

The bad news is that childhood obesity rates have been on the rise and a large number of kids today are going to end up with heart disease and type two diabetes before they graduate high school. The good news is that the LA Times is reporting that childhood-obesity rates are actually leveling off, aka not increasing — the first time in nearly 10 years.

I wanted to share because it seems that all of our efforts to curb childhood obesity are paying off. So keep at it if you're a parent, a sibling, an aunt, a babysitter, a teacher, or anyone that influences a child's health positively. Feel like weighing in on the matter? Check out this poll on Citizen.

And bravo!

Source

Start 'Em Young, Protect 'Em Against Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

We all know that exercise helps protect grown women against breast cancer, but according to CNN, new research has found that exercise during the teen years – starting as young as age 12 – can help protect girls from breast cancer when they are grown.

The best results, they say, are when the girl does regular exercise from ages 12 to 22 because it lowers her estrogen levels overall. What's more? Exercising early can also help reduce a girl's risk of obesity and increase her self esteem. If you're already over 22 and have been sedentary most of your life, don't worry: Starting exercise at any point helps your overall health significantly.

Source

Fun Fitness Challenge to Do at Your Desk

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:30:00 -0700

Today I came across this fun site Kidnetic.com that's geared towards fighting childhood obesity by getting kids up and moving. Being the competitive (and sometimes childish) gal that I am, I immediately played all the games and was drawn to the fitness challenge.

The fitness challenge is 10 challenges/exercises that you (or your kids) complete while being timed (things like run to the bathroom and back, hop on one leg, etc.). Sure it's for kids, and your coworkers may think you've lost it, but I felt great after doing it. I did mine in 2:31 seconds — I could have been faster but the bathroom is really far away from my desk here at Sugar HQ. Can you beat my score? I bet you can't.

Not acceptable to do at your workplace? Try it at home. If you have kids, pass it along to see if you can beat them.

A New Addition to Your Gym . . .

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:30:00 -0700

As health clubs across the nation are looking to expand their client base, you may be seeing something new at your gym: kids!

Yes that's right, while there are specially designed kid gyms, other gyms have started to open their doors to tots. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that more and more gyms nationwide are offering services to kids as well as adults. The average gyms, who formerly closed their doors to those under 13-years-old, are now offering everything from specific classes for children to carving out times to allow kids to use gym equipment (often during slow hours) and even work out with a personal trainer.

Though it does kind of sound like corporate America's version of the good old YMCA or community recreation center, doesn't it? I am guessing a family membership at the Sports Club/LA is way more pricey. Me, I like my adult time at the gym. I love my girls, but I love my hour of peace as well (as I am sure does every other parent there), plus I prefer them to exercise by running around the backyard and riding their bikes. I know you guys weren't too pleased about women bringing their babies to group classes so what you think about kids working out on the treadmill next to you?

Source

PE Goes From Dodge Ball to Circuit Training

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 02:00:00 -0800

In an effort to help end childhood obesity many physical education classes are changing their focus in schools nationwide as more gym teachers strive to teach individual activities that students can incorporate into their lives outside of gym class. Sure dodge ball and red rover are fun, but they're not practical ways for kids to keep moving beyond PE. I think this emphasis on general health (and nutrition in some cases) could really help kids implement skills into their future health goals. It sort of reminds me when schools started adding yoga to their curriculum, which many of you did not agree with.

What do you think? Should gym class maintain a focus on sports and games or should all PE classes shift to this new structure of functional fitness for kids?

Source

Speak Up: Cookie Monster Tossed His Cookies

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:30:00 -0800

After my recent poll about mall Santas being forced to lose weight, I was reminded of how in 2005, the folks behind Sesame Street decided that the beloved Cookie Monster needed to kick his cookie habit. Did you know that "C is for Cookie" has been replaced by the slightly less catchy "A Cookie Is a Sometimes Food"?

The Cookie Monster is not the only one who cleaned up his act: Elmo now exercises, and Big Bird washes his hands more. I'm surprised they haven't stuck Oscar the Grouch in a recycling bin and gotten Count von Count to see a shrink for his obsessive compulsive disorder.

I never warmed up to this idea. I loved the cookie monster growing up, and I can't say that it ever inspired me to eat as many cookies (along with inedible objects) as I could, but that is just me. What do you guys think about this? Do you think that changes such as making Santa skinny or taking cookies away from monsters will actually help to lower the rate of childhood obesity? Or do you think they should go ahead and give the Cookie Monster back his cookies?

Source

And the 2008 Health and Fitness Trends Are...

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:30:00 -0800

It seems that the predicted fitness trends for 2008 are pretty similar to those we saw in 2007, though this year we're seeing more of a focus on the specifics, rather than large generalizations.

Here are the top ten health and fitness trends for 2008:

Educated and experienced fitness professionals. More organizations are seeking accreditation for academic and certification programs for fitness professionals, including personal trainers, which will contribute to industry regulation.
Programs to fight childhood obesity. The high ranking of this trend matches the country's concern about childhood obesity and health. An influx of fitness programs designed specifically for children and adolescents is expected to help combat this problem.
Personal training. This trend moved up four spots from last year's survey, signaling that the profession of personal training is becoming more realistic and accessible to the public.
Strength training. The number four trend for 2008 supports ACSM and the American Heart Association's updated physical-activity guidelines, released earlier this year, which state that eight to ten strength-training exercises should be done at least twice per week.

To see the others

Worldwide Day of Play: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Last Saturday Nickelodeon, along with its sister digital networks including Nicktoons Network and Nick G.A.S., went off the air for three hours in the afternoon in celebration of Nickelodeon’s signature Worldwide Day of Play. The three hours of dead air was supposed to encourage kids to ~~switch to another channel,~~ ~~watch TiVo,~~ ~~pop in a Nick DVD,~~ go out and play.What follows the dark period you ask? Well a "SpongeBob" marathon of course. I like the idea of Nick going dark, but I can't help but think this is more of a marketing ploy than a real effort at getting kids active. I know it's not realistic to ask Nick to do this every Saturday afternoon, but encouraging kids to be active 3 hours a year seems a bit skimpy to me.What do you guys think about The Worldwide Day of Play?

Worldwide Day of Play: Cool or Not?

Cool!

Not Cool!

Undecided.

Other. Tell us below!

Is it a Good Idea for Schools to Ban Cupcakes at Birthday Celebrations?

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:30:00 -0700

As kids returned to school this year, many were faced with healthier alternatives to the junk food previously served. This comes as a result of schools cracking down to try to help the fight in, and ultimately stop, childhood obesity. All this is good, however some fear that school officials are taking it too far. Reports are saying that some schools will be cracking down on cupcakes in the classroom, particularly those to celebrate birthdays. I definitely remember when it was my birthday in elementary school -- bringing cupcakes for your whole class was a big deal. Besides, shouldn't we be teaching our kids moderation? In my opinion, cupcakes everyday would be bad, but cupcakes to celebrate holidays and birthdays are not such a bad thing.I'm curious what you guys think. Since school officials are cracking down on ridding junk food from schools, should cupcakes for celebrations be included in that ban?Source

Is it a Good Idea for Schools to Ban Cupcakes at Birthday Celebrations?

It's a good idea

It's a bad idea

Undecided

Other -- Tell us Below

Jessica Alba Goes Wii

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Jessica Alba has one of the most wanted bodies in Hollywood. Jessica's been reported to be strict on portion control, water consumption and cardio but it seems she may have added another aspect to her get fit routine: The Wii.

Here's more:

"I just got the Wii and that's fun. I play all of the Wii Sports games, like bowling, tennis, and baseball. That's a lot of fun."

"I think the physicality of the Wii gets people off the couch. Sometimes you can just sit there playing a video game for hours and never move and you're brain is just zapped from playing the game. With the Wii, you're up on your feet and moving around. The physical aspect of it is great, especially for kids. They actually call it the Wii Diet, since active players can burn calories!

Hey, whatever works. Obesity is ridiculous with kids today in our country. Anything that helps is great. You know, West Virginia is using Dance Dance Revolution in all schools as part of P.E. I know a lot of public school programs don't even have P.E. these days. That's crazy. It wasn't even an option when I was a kid. What the heck! I remember climbing up the rope, doing the mile run and all of that stuff."

Want to get fit with your own Wii workout? Then Check out the Balance Board for Wii.

Source

Obese Kids Miss More School

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 02:00:00 -0700

As kids gear up to head back-to-school certain factors, including being overweight, mean that they may be missing more school than their peers.

Research found that overweight students were absent 20% more often than other kids. They suggest that the heavier children are avoiding school because of being teased as well as not wanting to participate in gym class. The more school missed, the more problems that can arise down the road.

As kids prepare to head back-to-school, keep this news in mind if your child is overweight. Instead of enabling them to miss more school, try and help them control their weight and emotional issues. Maybe enroll them in an after school program that has activities involved. Think about possibly hiring a personal trainer for after school or on weekends. Heck, there are even gyms tailored specifically for kids popping up nationwide. Help them pack a lunch full of healthy foods rather than the fast food they have available at school. Finally, look at your own lifestyle and habits, maybe the simplest change can be done at home, together.

Shaq's Big Challenge: Episode Five

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Shaq's Big Challenge continues to keep my attention, five episodes in and I can't wait for next week's season finale!

Last night the kids were looking good. I am officially loving Chris, the eleven year old that has lost 40 pounds so far -- His spirit is really uplifting and that much weight loss is pretty substantial for such a little guy! All the kids continue to amaze me with their support for others as they invited friends to participate in the program and a lot of kids showed up. One mother mentioned that this 'after school program' is a fabulous idea since her overweight son does not use gym class to exercise due to being embarrassed. However, in an after school program for overweight kids, much like what Shaq was promoting, he feels like he fits in and actually enjoys working out with other kids who have the same goals in mind. What a great idea! Other communities should put together similar programs to encourage exercise for overweight kids.

Another interesting part of the show was the Shaquille O'Neal's Wellness Wheel, which is a comprehensive program where kids learn about how to cook healthy meals (home economics), how the foods affects their bodies (health) and then how to burn if off (gym). I love it! In fact, it kind of reminds me of what we're doing over here at FitSugar! I actually got my hands on a tasty little recipe from the program and I thought it would be great for anyone trying to eat healthy, not just the little ones. To learn about it for yourself, just

Get Animated with Anna Kournikova

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I have always been an Anna Kournikova fan, but now even more so than before.

The hot tennis starlet is teaming with the Cartoon Network on an all-new healthy lifestyles DVD program entitled "Get Animated with Anna Kournikova" that will teach kids fun, creative ways to stay healthy and active in any typical indoor classroom setting. The program shows that every child can find a way to raise his or her heart rate, burn some calories and become more fit. The DVD will include the following, all of which sound like fun, for even an adult:

Warm Up Exercises provide a way to get the oxygen and blood flowing and kids to get moving!
Chair Aerobics is a fun way to get your heart pumping and your muscles working. These quick exercises can energize, increase productivity and provide an easy alternative to conventional exercises.
Air Step Aerobics is similar to Step Aerobics only without a step. Students pretend to have a step in front of them. This is a great way to increase the heart rate, energize the mind, and have fun!
Pretend Rope Jumping is a great way for students to practice rope jumping skills without ever making a mistake. No equipment is needed as students use only a “pretend” rope.
Canned Food Exercises are a convenient way to strengthen muscles and help build strong bones without having to spend money on equipment. One pound cans of food are used as weights. Muscular endurance is emphasized as opposed to muscular strength which is developmentally appropriate for kids aged 8-11.
Mind in Motion works both the body and the brain. Arrows and Cartoon Network characters pointing in different directions appear on the screen and children (and adults) must react by moving his/her feet, arms or body in the direction of the pointing arrow(s).
Cool Down Exercises help bodies cool down and enable kids to focus and prepare for new tasks.

Seriously, can I get a copy of this DVD? It sounds like fun! I am very impressed that Anna is using her stardom to be a good influence on kids, rather than just jumping on the party/rehab cycle that most stars seem to be choosing these days.

Source

Exergaming: Fisher Price Smart Cycle

FitSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 13:30:00 -0700

The latest trend in gaming is exergaming, which is a combo of exercise and gaming. Think Dance, Dance Revolution and Wii. Fisher Price saw an opening in the market and went for it.

The Smart Cycle is a stationary bike, a learning center and an arcade game system for kids 3-6 years old. The Smart Cycle plugs into your TV, kids hop on and as they pedal, animated characters guide them through learning discoveries, games and even exciting races. It's not available just yet, so I am not sure how much it will cost, but you know I am loving this idea. It's hard to keep kids away from the video games, so this way they can still have their video games, but get active while playing. Do I think a better option is to get kids outside on actual bikes, well of course, but sometimes that is not always an option, so this is a great backup.

To check it out, visit Fisher Price online. This is a great way to get your kids moving earlier, and maybe you'll even end up with a little Lance Armstrong on your hands. To see more pics of this great toy for the kiddies,

ING Run For Something Better

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Feeling like you want to run for something better than just your own health?
ING Run For Something Better is a program that helps fund running and fitness education in schools. The program is designed to teach kids the benefits of being active for good health. ING has already committed $2 million dollars towards the fight against obesity but you can help too -- All you have to do is make a donation of $10 or more and in return you'll get a cool pair of orange (fab color, don't you think?) shoelaces to show that you supported the cause. Make a donation and get your shoelaces on ING Run For Something Better online.

To Overweight Teens: Liposuction Not the Answer

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:30:00 -0700

I just read an article on Medical News Today that mentioned how the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) cautions that liposuction and tummy tucks are inappropriate procedures for weight loss in teens. In fact, a recent editorial in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(R) (PRS), the official medical journal of the ASPS, discusses the lack of scientific data supporting the use of body contouring procedures to fight childhood obesity.

To this I say: No shit.

Regardless of my personal opinion on the matter, obviously there was a reason for the docs to bring it up in the news, which is totally scary if you ask me, but here it goes... ASPS President Roxanne Guy, MD tells us this:

The use of liposuction to improve the health status of an obese individual, regardless of age, is not currently supported by scientific evidence. In fact, a 2004 New England Journal of Medicine study shows the use of liposuction does not provide the same health benefits as diet-induced weight loss in obese people.

Moral of the story? Stop looking for the magic bullet for yourself and definitely stop letting your kids think there is a magic bullet. The best way to health is with diet and exercise, point blank. When are we going to get it through our media saturated heads?

Shaq's Taking on Childhood Obesity - Kazaam!!!

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 17:30:00 -0800

It is being reported that NBA basketball player, Shaquille O'Neal, has been shooting more than just hoops recently.

Shaq is currently in Florida shooting his first reality TV show (yet to be named) that will focus on childhood obesity and health. The new ABC reality show, airing sometime this summer, will track the lives of several children and O'Neal will be on hand to coach them through a weight loss program. He will also try his hand at lobbying politicians on causes including school nutrition. Further than just having Shaq as the star, the new show will also focus on the children's lives outside of school and examine the reasons behind their eating habits.

Despite the over abundance of reality TV shows these days, I am sure I'll be watching. Shaq is definitely one entertaining guy and you guys know that I am all for supporting any efforts against childhood obesity.

Source

Obesity Report Cards in Schools: A Good Idea?

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 08:45:00 -0800

Arkansas is the first state to send home obesity report cards to warn parents of overweight kids' health risks, but the state may ditch the plan or weaken it with the help of the new governor. Arkansas' program began in 2004 after the Legislature directed public schools to weigh and measure children, calculating their body-mass index. Since then California, Florida and Pennsylvania have launched similar efforts.Critics are saying that sending home an overweight report card to parents may weaken a child's self esteem, which could be detrimental as overweight children already have self-esteem problems.Supporters say that parents can help since some of the children who got the obesity report card from school have started attending fitness clinics. Furthermore, that some parents don't really know their child is overweight until they get the letter.So what do you guys think about obesity report cards in schools?

Obesity Report Cards in Schools: A Good Idea?

Horrible idea -- Parents know when their kid is overweight; a report card will only make the kid feel bad.

Great idea -- Parents need to open their eyes and take control of the situation if their child is overweight.

Other. Tell us below!

Dance Dance Revolution for West Virginia

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 16:30:00 -0800

Childhood obesity has been a growing problem, and West Virginia has the worst problem in the U.S. - but they've decided to do something to battle the bulge.

Goodbye sweaty gym class, hello Konami's Dance Dance Revolution. They are planning to put one in every one of the public schools to help put a halt to weight gain. I love this idea - I applaud anything that gets kids excited about moving their bodies and staying healthy.

Heck if this 5-year old can hack it, anyone can.

Want to see the Dance Dance Revolution on Ugly Betty? Then