UK Extension helping to fight diabetes in teens through innovative physical activities and community action

This post is in relation to Senate Bill 17

Diabetes can be an extremely debilitating disease. Working to increase physical activity and establishing healthy habits in youth may provide important steps towards preventing the rates and onset of diabetes. In Pike County, UK Cooperative Extension Service is utilizing innovative techniques to engage with teens to help increase physical activity.

Here are some highlights of their activities:

Pike County Diabetes partnership is a made up of local businesses and other individuals working to improve health

• The partnership has purchased games such as Dance Dance Revolution to be placed in all county libraries. Competitions are held at each library for teens.
• Walking trails have been developed in town to promote physical activity.
• Diabetes cooking schools and educational presentations are held throughout the county.
• Individuals have reported improved blood sugar control and weight loss.

Weight the Reality - partnership with local YMCA

• 10 week program meeting at Pikeville, KY YMCA.
• For 5 weeks, the group will have time to participate in physical activity during class.
• Every other week a trainer will work with the group.
• If they attend weekly meetings, participants will get a pass for the last 5 weeks of the program to attend the YMCA.
• This class promotes physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

The connection between physical activity and student performance

This post is in relation to Senate Bill 17

There have been a number studies whose purpose is to determine if there is a connection between physical activity and student performance. The goal of many of these studies was to determine if increases in physical activity positively impact academic performance. A recent published literature review examined the available research to determine if there were consistent results across studies.

Review results:

• There was a consistent trend throughout the majority of studies that showed some short-term improvements in areas such as concentration.
• Long-term improvements could not be well substantiated.
• More research is recommended in order to determine if there are long-term academic benefits to increased physical activity.
  

This review offers important insight into the academic benefits of increased physical activity. At the very least, there are some likely short-term improvements. However, more research is needed in order to determine if there are long-term benefits, as well.

Evidence-based recommendations for physical activity in children

This post is in relation to Senate Bill 17

Childhood obesity is a serious concern for the future of the nation’s health. Attempts to combat this epidemic must be guided by sound scientific research. A recent published literature review examined 850 relevant articles and consulted with experts in the field to develop evidence-based recommendations for physical activity in school-age youth.

Evidence-based recommendations:

1. The majority of intervention studies that utilized moderate to vigorous physical activity of 30-45 minutes, 3-5 days per week showed significant promise.
2. The expert panel recommended at least 60 minutes daily in order to maximize the potential benefits.

The results suggest evidence-based recommendations for physical activity in school-age youth. Children should have at least 30-45 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, 3-5 days per week. The expert panel, after examining the evidence, recommended that this should probably increase to 60 minutes of physical activity daily in order to maximize the potential benefits. The difficult task ahead is to find interesting and innovative ways for implementing these recommendations into practice in order to help prevent childhood obesity.