Youths learn to stay fit at summer camp
Youths taking part in a summer fit camp at Mile 108 Elementary School are shown getting ready for a bike trip. At right, participants take part in a group stretch after exercising.
By Kathy Michaels
Free Press staff
Aug 09 2006
Murray Helmer from the 108 is leading
the charge of change when it comes to addressing the health of Canada’s youth.
Obesity rates among children and adults have increased substantially during the past 25 years, according to new results from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), which directly measured the height and weight of respondents.
Adolescents aged 12 to 17 have seen obesity rates triple, from three per cent to nine per cent, over the last quarter century.
This upturn among adolescents is of particular concern because overweight or obese conditions in adolescence often persists into adulthood.
To help combat that trend, Helmer held a series of two week-long Fit Camps at Mile 108 Elementary and Action Fitness. The programs started in July and combined fitness and fun.
Approximately 20 youth from Grades 4 to 7 took part in each of the camps that were sponsored by the provincial 2010 Legacies program and the Ministry of Education.
Helmer said one of the goals of the camp was to instill an urgency with the young people to stay active and to help them understand how activity lends itself to a healthy lifestyle.
Among children aged 6 to 17, the likelihood of being overweight or obese tended to rise with time spent watching TV, playing video games or using the computer.
“Kids are spending more and more time on computers and it is taking a toll on their health down the road,” he said.
He stressed it is
important to get young people on their feet now before they develop poor and inactive health habits.
Each day of the program is different and participants take part in activities in both team and individual formats.
The exercises are designed to improve the children’s’ fitness levels in a number of areas including endurance, speed, flexibility, agility and balance.
“Over the course of the two weeks their performance improves and they are surprised how much better they do,” he said.
Although the programs are coming to an end, Helmer said there’s a possibility to run more if people are interested.
Those who would like to see the programs carry on should contact Helmer at 791-7306.
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