Results of the 2012 SHPPS released. Information on PE, Health, Recess, Physical Activity, Standards, etc.

http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/shpps/index.htm

Children who spent more time doing moderate or vigorous physical activity during school hours did not compensate for their extra exercise by reducing their activity levels at home, according to a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Previous research has suggested that kids have a built-in "activitystat" that regulates the total amount of energy they expend (see Reuters Health story of May 7, 2009 here: reut.rs/iGDVdO…

Schools play an important role in helping children to be healthy and fit.  A fast growing body of research indicates that student wellness and academic learning go hand-in-hand.  Put simply, the benefits that can arise from proper nutrition and physical activity are a prerequisite to optimal learning and to avoiding and preventing chronic diseases.

We have put together a page of resources for schools on the topic of:  Tools for Creating a…

And I quote................

"It’s just gym, huh?

"Well think again. It’s the only subject I know of that directly reduces a kid’s long-term risk of heart failure, diabetes, depression, anxiety, several cancers, and obesity — and at the same time enhances fitness, cognitive function, self-esteem, teamwork, and overall good health.
Like it or not, the truth is, if we keep cutting PE out of our schools and physical activity out of o…

Johnson & Johnson Community Health Care Program


The Johnson & Johnson Community Health Care Program, in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, has announced a grant funding opportunity for non-profit community health care organizations implementing evidence-based, community-education programs that promote wellness and healthy lifestyle choices to prevent and reduce the impact of obesity in children.

…

Contributed by Andrea Bossenmeyer


Studies show that play reflects more of who you are than your work. When you're engaged in activities of "personal expressiveness," ones that are self-chosen and that reflect intrinsic goals, you're operating from the "true self," says Alan Waterman of the College of New Jersey.

As a self titled seeker, I love hearing about anything that helps me discover more of the truth. The trut…

Contributed by Andrea Bossenmeyer









First Lady Michelle Obama is making more progress with the Let's Move campaign. A presentation was made at the Conference of Mayors, 470 Mayors decided to make their town or city a Let's Move City.

Want to know if your city is one of them? Let's Move Cities & Towns. I'm very pleased to see that all 3 major metropolis' that I've lived in have joined. Riverside, San Diego and Los Angel…

Sharon Murray, the president of the Rocky Mountain Center for Health Promotion and Education, pointed out that states with “health-supporting policies” – things like minimum health and physical education requirements, an emphasis on healthy nutrition standards, funding for school-based health clinics and other student services – tend to have higher test scores and lower dropout rates than states that don’t.

“So my recommendation for action is, …

We all know by now, that we need to eat more fruits and vegetables! We also have heard of schools creating their own gardens and creating not only learning environments but supplying their school cafeteria's with fresh food as well.

Now Jamba Juice is sponsoring a grant called, It's all about the Fruits! Through the National Gardening Association.

20 Schools can win fruit trees valued @ over $500. Visit the link to find out more and app…

Employer-sponsored exercise is a big part of the U.S. National Physical Activity Plan, a cooperative effort by a number of health and fitness organizations to promote physical activity in public settings such as businesses, schools and churches, according to HealthDay reporter Dennis Thompson on September 28, 2010.

Adult recess would involve a 10-minute break in the workday, when employees would be led through a series of fun routines involving …

Contributed by JC BoushhAccording to the recent findings published in The New England Journal of Medicine researchers from the obesity center at Temple University are seeing an overall decline in childhood obesity in their study group of 4,500 students. Researchers followed students from sixth grade to eighth grade and half of the students in the study were involved in higher levels of physical activity and a healthier cafeteria diet. Preliminar…

by Andrea Bossenmeyer

Everyone blames major junk food companies for advertising to kids, and contributing to childhood obesity...So why then don't we see advertising for broccoli? Green beans? Apples?

This article gives us a brief glimpse into the possibilities...

"the primary takeaway is that companies that sell, say, a certain cereal or fast food can brand their products to give them a market advantage. A single broccoli grower has a lo…

You decide.

Let me begin by saying this is one of the VERY BEST articles that I've read on the topic of Obesity. Believe me I've read alot of them over the last 10 years and even served on a Statewide Childhood Obesity Committee for a year. In my opinion this article is a must read for physical activity, physical education, and nutrition advocates.


Unless America stops cheering The Biggest Loser and starts getting serious about preventing obesity,…

For a get-out-and-play idea how about GeoCaching. Below is a short video to explain what it is and how to get involved.



Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and s…

Contributed by Andrea Bossenmeyer



Fooducate is a great blog I follow. This morning they shared a brief history of how food became processed. I think it's a great share.



What you need to know:

Food processing is a set of methods and techniques used to transform raw food ingredients into consumable food. Food processing can be as simple as cutting up some vegetables to prepare a salad, or as complex as manufacturing a Twinkie in multiple processi…

By Andrea Bossenmeyer

Around the Peaceful Playground offices, I'm known for starting our recycling bins, and insisting on non-toxic cleaning products like Method, as well as teaching co-workers about the hazards of processed foods etc.

I follow the Healthy Child Healthy World Blog and can't say enough good things about it. Their Mission is to igniting a movement that inspires parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals.

They …

West Virginia University’s Dr. Linda Carson will receive the Margie R. Hanson Elementary Physical Education Distinguished Service Award from the National Association for Sport and Physical Education during the national convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance ending today in Indiana.

Carson is also the founder of Choosy Kids, a company that uses the character “Choosy” to promote healthy decision mak…

Study author Lesley Cottrell, an associate professor of pediatrics at West Virginia University, in Morgantown stated that, "Children's physical fitness is associated with their academic performance," according to a two year study completed recently.

In general, the fitter the student, the better the test scores, Cottrell's team found. The researchers evaluated almost 1,200 students, assessing their fitness in the fifth grade and…