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Glen Ellyn, IL —
As nationwide initiatives continue to stress the importance of exercise to avoid childhood obesity, local health officials are reporting that area residents have gotten the hint.
Glen Ellyn fitness centers are reporting an increase in the number of children they see working out at their facilities. At HealthTrack Sports & Wellness, 875 Roosevelt Road, there is reportedly almost four times as many children working out on the fitness floor with their parents.
“We have seen a dramatic increase in our youth certification program where children under 12 get certified to go up to the fitness floor with their parents,” said Cathy Gardner, a spokeswoman at the Glen Ellyn gym.
Gardner explained that two years ago 15 to 20 children were looking into certification. Now there are more than 70 certified children.
“Let face it,” Gardner said. “There is so much video game usage and kids being inactive for the last so many years that I think now people are starting to recognize that it’s something that has to start when you’re younger. It’s so important to really lay the ground work when kids are young.”
Dan Kroger, facility manager at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, said he has also seen an increase in children using the facility overall. He attributes the increase, however, to families becoming more aware of the Ackerman Center, which opened in January 2010.
Kroger added that staff has also worked to get the word out about the facility and making sure parents and children know that the center is a safe and good option, for example, during a half day of school.
At least if parents drop off their child at the Ackerman, they know their child will get some work out, Kroger said.
“When (children) come here they have no choice but to be active,” Kroger said.
Chiropractic Physician Dr. Michelle Wesely said child obesity is a real threat to the health of America’s next generations.
“Obesity, influenced by poor diet and inactivity, are significantly associated with an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, joint problems, osteoporosis and poor health status,” Wesely stated in an e-mail, adding that one out of five children are diagnosed as obese.
Among the factors that influence childhood obesity is eating products with high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient and lack of exercise, she said.
“They’re not playing cops and robbers anymore,” Wesely said. “They’re not playing outside and there goes your exercise.”
As nationwide initiatives continue to stress the importance of exercise to avoid childhood obesity, local health officials are reporting that area residents have gotten the hint.
Glen Ellyn fitness centers are reporting an increase in the number of children they see working out at their facilities. At HealthTrack Sports & Wellness, 875 Roosevelt Road, there is reportedly almost four times as many children working out on the fitness floor with their parents.
“We have seen a dramatic increase in our youth certification program where children under 12 get certified to go up to the fitness floor with their parents,” said Cathy Gardner, a spokeswoman at the Glen Ellyn gym.
Gardner explained that two years ago 15 to 20 children were looking into certification. Now there are more than 70 certified children.
“Let face it,” Gardner said. “There is so much video game usage and kids being inactive for the last so many years that I think now people are starting to recognize that it’s something that has to start when you’re younger. It’s so important to really lay the ground work when kids are young.”
Dan Kroger, facility manager at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, said he has also seen an increase in children using the facility overall. He attributes the increase, however, to families becoming more aware of the Ackerman Center, which opened in January 2010.
Kroger added that staff has also worked to get the word out about the facility and making sure parents and children know that the center is a safe and good option, for example, during a half day of school.
At least if parents drop off their child at the Ackerman, they know their child will get some work out, Kroger said.
“When (children) come here they have no choice but to be active,” Kroger said.
Chiropractic Physician Dr. Michelle Wesely said child obesity is a real threat to the health of America’s next generations.
“Obesity, influenced by poor diet and inactivity, are significantly associated with an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, joint problems, osteoporosis and poor health status,” Wesely stated in an e-mail, adding that one out of five children are diagnosed as obese.
Among the factors that influence childhood obesity is eating products with high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient and lack of exercise, she said.
“They’re not playing cops and robbers anymore,” Wesely said. “They’re not playing outside and there goes your exercise.”
She suggests parents pack their child’s lunch, start reading nutritional labels and avoid high fructose corn syrup.
Local health officials aren’t the only ones working to educate parents on childhood obesity. First Lady Michelle Obama began the “Let’s Move!” campaign last year to help end childhood obesity.
On the Let’s Move! website, the campaign stresses to parents and children the importance of eating healthy and staying active.
“Children need 60 minutes of play with moderate to vigorous activity every day to grow up to a healthy weight,” the website states. “If this sounds like a lot, consider that 8- to 18-year-old adolescents spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media … To increase physical activity, today’s children need safe routes to walk and bike ride to school, parks, playgrounds and community centers where they can play after school, and activities like sports, dance or fitness programs that are exciting and challenging enough to keep them engaged.”
