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About Us
County Impact Statements - White County
Get Fit! Promoting Exercise to Combat Childhood Obesity
Obesity in kids is now epidemic in the United States. The number of children
who are overweight has doubled in the last two to three decades; currently one
child in five is overweight. The increase is in both children and adolescents,
and in all age, race and gender groups.
Extension teamed up with Pangburn FBLA members and advisors to promote
exercise and physical fitness throughout the year. In July, approximately 400
families visited our booth at the annual Day of Caring. FBLA members exercised
with children and distributed stickers, while others visited with parents and
caregivers about exercise. In September, we again promoted exercise and fun
activities at Kid’s Day, reaching over 500 school-aged children. FBLA members
also promoted healthy lifestyle choices with stickers and demonstrations.
The first step is promoting healthy choices. Next, we plan to educate
children and adults about the dangers of obesity and how to make those healthy
lifestyle choices – for example, making exercise fun, eating more fruits and
vegetables, and using the Food Guide Pyramid to guide your food choices.
Pangburn FBLA volunteers teach fun exercises to children
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Impacts
What can YOU do?
- Encourage children to be active on a regular basis.
- Be physically active role models.
- Set limits on the amount of time your children spend watching television
and playing video or computer games.
- Plan and participate in family activities that include physical activity
(e.g., walking or bicycling together instead of driving, doing active chores
like vacuuming and mowing the lawn, playing outside) and include physical
activity in family events such as birthday parties, picnics, and vacations.
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