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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – It has been estimated that one in every three children in the US is overweight and 1 in 5 is obese. These children are at greater risk for asthma, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, type 2 diabetes, and an increased risk for heart disease. They are targets of bullies and relentlessly teased by classmates. Often, they are unable to fully participate in normal childhood activities or team sports. And, they are likely to be overweight as adults compounding their health risks. Everyone wants to combat this growing health problem, but many experts believe that the issue of overweight children is very complex and the answers are not easy. Though all of this is true, sometimes a simple intervention can have a big impact.
The Daily Mile, begun by Elaine Wyllie, in an elementary school in Scotland, is a simple 15-minue break from class, where children were encouraged to run, jog or walk around their school grounds. This activity is in addition to their normal recess or physical education classes. Wyllie said she started The Daily Mile with the belief that by helping children lead more active lives it would encourage them to develop other healthy habits. She was right. The children became more active, participated in fewer sedentary activities, and showed more focused concentration on school tasks.
The Daily Mile has been adopted by close to 50% of all the primary schools in Scotland and has gained adherents in the UK, Netherlands, Belgium and in parts of the US. The program is appealing because it includes entire classes reaching children at different levels of physical activity and fitness. Its simplicity – just move – walk, jog or run at a self-selected pace for 15 minutes with none of the competition of opt-in groups like sports teams. No equipment or set up is needed. Children can chat with friends, which they love to do, while they move at a pace they choose. Teachers need no training and have autonomy to initiate the daily program at any time they choose for their class. Most children average a mile each day.
Given that The Daily Mile does take 15 minutes out of every academic day, up to 75 minutes each week, it was important to find out if the results seen in varying schools could hold up to scientific scrutiny. It did. Researchers in Scotland looked at primary classes, 1 to 7. Some children stayed with the traditional school day and for others The Daily Mile program was implemented. The results supported the positive observations seen by teachers and parents in the past.
Children participating in The Daily Mile program wore accelerometers for 10 hours each day to record their daily minutes in moderate to vigorous activity and the amount of time they were sedentary. There was an overall increase in daily activity and a decrease in sedentary time. Children did not compensate by sitting more at other times in the day after participating in The Daily Mile. They actually replaced sedentary activities with active ones. Children became more physically fit and there was slight reduction in body fat. What was even more interesting in the results, some of the children participating had challenging behaviors, including autism spectrum disorders. Nonetheless, they could participate in The Daily Mile program. This is very encouraging, since children with disabilities often do not get enough physical activity daily.
These results show that a simple initiative, like The Daily Mile, can be positive step toward tackling the global obesity epidemic that is steadily trickling down into childhood.
Bottom line: It’s simple, start healthy habits early.
For more information go to: https://thedailymile.co.uk/about/
© NRH Nutrition Consultants, Inc.
Jo-Ann Heslin, MA, RD, CDN is a registered dietitian and the author of 30 books. Available as eBooks from iTunes and Kindle/Amazon:
Diabetes Counter – the most up-to-date information on managing diabetes
Calorie Counter – a weight loss guide that won’t let you down
Protein Counter – put the latest protein recommendations to work for you
Healthy Wholefoods Counter – planet-friendly eating made easy
Complete Food Counter – food counts and nutrition information at your fingertips
Fat and Cholesterol Counter – newest approach to heart-healthy eating
Available in print from Gallery Books:
Most Complete Food Counter, 3rd Ed.
Your Complete Food Counter App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/your-complete-food-counter/id444558777?mt=8
For more information on Jo-Ann and her books, go to: www.TheNutritionExperts.com