According to the CDC, in 2008, more than a third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese
MARQUETTE COUNTY -- Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. And nutrition is only half the battle of the bulge.
A few schools in Marquette County all have different methods of fighting the war against obesity.
It's another morning at North Star Academy in Marquette Township. Thirty minutes of exercise for all students grades K-6, but what makes it different is that it's the only program of its kind in the area. Trainers from Motions Fitness down the street teach the kids through a live and interactive Internet stream.
"It just helped with students who have problems in concentration--more energy than they can burn sitting in the classroom. It's a good way to start the day, getting their bodies and minds going so they're ready for the academics," says North Star Academy CEO Karen Anderson.
Recess isn't enough anymore.
At Birchview Elementary in Ishpeming, teachers will do 'fit bits' with the students. A third grade class took a break between social studies and science Tuesday morning to do the hand jive; just a quick transitional break to keep their minds, and bodies, active.
"One of the things that we do is we have a Walk with the Principal Day, two days a week. We have third grade...goes with me one day and fourth grade goes with me one day, and we go out and walk down to Teal Lake and back," says principal Brian Veale.
Some of our Facebook fans say preventing childhood obesity starts with education.
Christopher Dahlstrom posted this comment: "The parents usually aren't educated enough to know the unhealthy additives companies put in their food. Help the kids by helping the parents."
Tuesday, representatives from the Wellness Center at Bell Hospital were at Aspen Ridge School in Ishpeming Township, getting kids excited about the Strength from Within Program.
"It's a way of life, a healthy lifestyle change," says Wellness and Rehab Manager at Bell Hospital, Kristin Wodzinski M.S. P.T., C.S.C.S. "It educates them on not just healthy eating and getting outside, but also on things like community service and seeing healthy living as being a lifestyle rather than just going to the gym and working out."
Students in the Negaunee, Ishpeming, and NICE Community School Districts can participate in the Strength from Within program through Bell. It's targeted for students grades six through eight. They are accepting new students for the program through Sunday.
For more information, you can call the Wellness Center at (906) 485-2677.
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