en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:06:05 GMT 15 By Diana Wah-Lung and Ana Sabillon
Teenagers are in constant battle with obesity and it has now escalated to one of the main issues in the United States. Miami-Dade implemented new measures to deal with obesity. The human body stores extra calories that people eat, but don’t burn off; these extra calories become fat. It isn’t a health risk for most people to be a few pounds over their ideal weight. But, when people excessively overeat and don’t exercise, they build more body fat than they are supposed to, leading to obesity. More than 100 pounds overweight is considered morbid obesity because of the severe health risks. When a person has an excessive amount of fat they are considered obese or overweight. On a second note, once you have reached over 100 pounds you become morbidly obese. Obesity and inactivity can easily intertwine with a great range of health problems, from diabetes to depression. “Up to 1.7 billion of the world’s population is already at an increased risk of weight-related non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease,” according to the International Obesity Task Force. Obesity can cause asthma, which affects the amount of physical activity a person performs. Obese children may have breathing problems, making it harder for him or her to keep up with friends when they are playing. Obesity and inactivity don’t only affect your physical health. It also affects your mental health. Physically active people tend to have better mental health according to the 1996 U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Public Health Services. Depression is a great part of obesity. Because of their depression, people tend to eat more; making it a never ending cycle. In these past years, schools in Miami-Dade have implemented quite a few regulations to help fi ght the war against obesity. According to the 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey among schools that allow students to purchase any food or beverage, 44% do not allow students to purchase candy; high fat snacks;or soft drinks, sport drinks, or fruit drinks that are not 100% juice during school lunch periods. “Our school should sponsor a nutrition club. It will let students be aware of the situation at hand and statistics always amaze people,” said Joycellin Rodriguez, 10th grade health student. According to the 2005 Survey one of the implemented measures to help with obesity is that among schools that require physical education, “36% require students to take two or more physical education classes.” “It’s hard to tell them what to eat, but if they get physical education it’ll give them a chance,” said Ms. Arterburn, P.E. teacher. “There is a big difference from the beginning of the school year to the end of it...towards the end of the school year they come and just get started,” said Arterburn, explaining how students’ physical health improves throughout the year. Students have the opportunity to gain the physical education course online. They will be taught why they should exercise and how often through the internet, but will not be obligated to actually run a certain distance. “Night school is okay. I just fi nd it to be ridiculous to have to take it online...it is only acceptable if you are impaired.Even children who are impaired can still do some exercises,” said Arterburn. Exercising can help with other things not only with physical health. It can also help people feel better about themselves, build and keep healthy bones and muscles and joints, and it also helps them sleep better at night. Exercising also includes simple things like walking, riding a bicycle, dancing, bowling, just about any activity that requires movement. ]]> Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:46:00 GMT