Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Sandra Yi reporting A potentially dangerous epidemic, is eating away at our children. Studies show they're getting chubbier. And at an alarming rate.
We found out how one Utah school is combating the problem.
It's an epidemic affecting children across the nation. Here in Utah, 1 of every 4 kids in grades K through 8 is overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. We saw how one school in West Valley is trying to 'tip the scales' towards better health.
In the age of fast food and technology, comes a disturbing health trend. One where convenience has led to near crisis.
Cristopher Rees, National School Fitness Foundation: "OBESITY IS DRASTICALLY RISING. RIGHT NOW, THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL REPORTS THAT CHILDHOOD OBESITY HAS NEARLY DOUBLED IN THE PAST 2 DECADES."
Today, almost one out of 5 kids is overweight or obese, and their physical performance is not what it used to be. Just ask Physical Education instructor Laura Pace.
Laura Pace, Physical Educator: "LET'S SAY THAT IF I WAS DOING A MILE, A NORMAL TIME WAS 8 TO 10 MINUTES AND NO, I'M LUCKY TO GET MY KIDS TO ACTUALLY COMPLETE ONE IN 15 MINUTES."
Laura Pace, Physical Educator: "I REALLY HAVE TO MOTIVATE THEM TO EXERCISE AND THAT IS SOMETIMES, PAINFUL."
Even worse, more kids than ever may be on the fast track for health problems.
Laura Pace, Physical Educator: "I'VE GOT KIDS NOW THAT ARE ON MACHINES FOR DIABETES. 20 YEARS AGO, I DIDN'T HAVE ANY OF THAT. ASTHMA, BUT IT WAS SO LIGHT. NOW IT'S SO MORE PROFOUND THAT IT'S SCARY."
Scary enough that many schools are now fighting the fat.
For example, New York school kids are eating healthier. That means no soda or candy in the vending machines and a low fat menu at lunch. Here in Utah, some schools are taking a more active approach.
Inside a small gym at Valley Junior High, students are shaping up, slimming down and learning about their bodies.
Mitch Dotson, 9th Grade Student: "I LEARNED ABOUT BODY COMPOSITION, MAX WEIGHTS, LIFTING WEIGHTS, ENDURANCE."
Taesha Higbee, Student: "WHEN I COME INTO THIS CLASS, I WORK OUT ABOUT EVERYDAY AND THEN I LEARN ABOUT HOW I'M WORKING MY MUSCLES."
Students in this P-E class spend most of their time doing cardio and strength training. Every 30 seconds, they rotate, using different machines. In less than 2 years, the program has already helped change bad habits.
Cassidy Pons: "I USED TO JUST SIT ON THE COUCH, WATCHING TV."
Taesha Higbee: "WHEN I GO HOME, I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO GO ON A RUN OR WALK A LITTLE BIT SO IT'S BETTER."
And students can see and feel the difference.
Taesha Higbee: "I CAN LIFT HEAVIER THINGS LONGER."
Taesha Higbee: "I CAN BREATHE EASIER WHEN I RUN."
Cassidy Pons, Student: "IT JUST WORKS OUT MY MUSCLES. IT JUST BUILDS IT RIGHT HERE. IT JUST MAKES ME FEEL GOOD."
Valley is one of more than four hundred schools nationwide, participating in a comprehensive fitness program to combat obesity. The National School Fitness Foundation provides the schools free of charge, with state of the art workout equipment and a curriculum. In exchange, the schools track students' fitness results.
Coach Pace says those results are impressive, especially considering some kids have never worked out. She says, in 2 semesters, students have increased their upper body flexibility by as much as four inches. Also, nearly all of her students achieved strength gains between 5 to 30 pounds.
And in the war against obesity, Pace hopes the program helps battle the bulge, one class at a time.
Laura Pace: "IT'S MENTAL HEALTH, IT'S PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL BEING, IT'S NUTRITION."
There are 129 other schools in Utah with the same program. Those kinds of programs are a start, but experts say better health begins at home. One tip is, find out what activity your child likes to do best and do it together.
