Originally published January 2 2006
California officials hopeful about the future of student fitness
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The California Aggies reports that school officials across the state hope that recent statistics and programs implemented by the Department of Education will motivate students to enroll in fitness programs that will improve their health.
Jack O'Connell, state superintendent of public instruction, released new survey results Nov. 21 regarding student physical fitness and commenced the third annual Superintendent's Challenge, which may help to further increase student health.
The challenge asks students, including those in the fifth, seventh, and ninth grades who participated in the survey, to enroll in a program that attempts to improve their overall fitness.
As supported by the California Department of Education and in accordance with state laws requiring school districts to annually conduct fitness tests, nearly 1.4 million students across the state participated in the testing.
Overall, a 3 to 4 percent increase in the level of physical performance showed improvement from years past, but O'Connell said there is still much room for progress.
"A silent epidemic of obesity and poor nutrition is endangering our children's health and their ability to learn," O'Connell said.
This included aerobic capacity, body consumption, abdominal strength, trunk extension strength, upper body strength and flexibility.
Raychel Adler, manager of the Activities and Recreation Center's Wellness Center, said she believes physical education should start at an early age, ideally upon a child's entrance into kindergarten.
Michelle Johnston, health promotion supervisor at Cowell Student Health Center, said most information is available to assist UC Davis students in finding the necessary means to fulfill minimum general health standards.
"We offer a lot of literature students can use as resources, as well as peer and career educators to help students build physical activity and set goals for themselves," Johnston said.
In comparison to the recent middle-school student surveys, the 2005 College Health Assessment, a national research effort, provides data of UC Davis student fitness and nutrition levels as well as why students may not be in top physical shape.
She cited last years' restructuring of the United States Department of Agriculture's food pyramid and Gov.
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