10,000 steps a start to keeping kids fit, healthy
Ofelia Madrid
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 26, 2006 12:00 AM
Walk 10,000 steps a day. The recommended number of daily steps to keep fit doesn't change for children.
It's a challenge that will take place in hundreds of classrooms across Arizona.
"The classroom environment is a wonderful way to stimulate children," said Gary Smethers, chief medical officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona which sponsors the Walk On! program. It is designed to encourage students to exercise. advertisement
"What we're hoping is that the students will become more active," Smethers said. "The easiest way is to do more walking."
The 2007 challenge has Arizona students using a pedometer to measure their steps throughout February, making them eligible to win an iPod nano.
The Walk On! program is just one way schools across the nation are educating their students on how to keep fit and eat healthy.
At Scottsdale's Zuni Elementary School, pupils are setting personal fitness goals and learning about nutrition.
In the spring, the students will participate in Operation Tone Up, a program that promotes the benefits of focusing on both nutrition and exercise. The final event allows the pupils to participate in a fitness challenge, which includes running one mile, jumping jacks, push-ups and sit-ups.
Still others schools are using the Internet to educate students about health with such Web sites as learntobehealthy.org.
The site, designed for pupils in kindergarten to sixth grade, provides interactive animated activities. Parents can log on as educators and work the different prevention activities with their children.
"The goal is to educate and inspire people of all ages to make healthy choices," said Heather Pizzo, e-learning instructional design coordinator for the Pennsylvania-based Susan P. Byrnes Health Education Center.
10,000 steps Obesity program