Professor Helps Combat Childhood Obesity Epidemic - WCCO Radio
Rick Benson, assistant professor of Health & Exercise Science, made a guest appearance on the Mike Max show (WCCO-Radio) on Tuesday, April 24, from 8 - 9 p.m.
Benson is president of the Minnesota Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD), a school-based professional association dedicated to improving the skills, knowledge, health and well-being of all Minnesota students. Benson discussed the alarming increase in childhood obesity and the corresponding medical issues that can accompany obesity.
According to recent statistics, 16 percent of children and teens aged 6 to 19 years (more than 9 million youth) are overweight, and about 10 percent of children aged 2 to 5 years are overweight.
Statistics about the increase in weight-related medical conditions in young people are equally alarming. Part of the problem lies in the fact that children do not get enough exercise in school.
Until 2003, health and physical education requirements were a part of the school curriculum. Without the state-wide curriculum requirements, Minnesota schools are reducing or eliminating the time students spend in health and physical education class. Students' increasingly sedentary lives are making them fat at an earlier age than ever.
To help combat what many fitness and medical professionals describe as the childhood obesity epidemic, MAHPERD advocating on behalf of youth and teens for legislation that would mandate more rigorous standards for K-12 health and physical education curriculum.
For more about the group's efforts to support school health and fitness programming and to promote healthy lifestyles for kids, email Rick Benson or visit the MAHPERD Web site.
