I often get asked what various terms mean related to children’s health and fitness. This page is a work in progress, so it will take a long time to accumulate various terms. Each time a visitor emails a question about a specific word, it will be posted here. The main articles of this web site will be posted under the Editorial or Article links located on the side panel of the page. Please feel free to post comments with your opinions on any specific topic.
Andioxidants – Antioxidants are closely involved in the prevention of cellular damage – the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases.
Body Mass Index (BMI) – Your BMI is a measure to determine the amount of body fat and amount of lean body mass. It is the number, derived by using height and weight measurements, that gives a general indication if weight falls within a healthy range.
Cardiovascular – Pertains to the heart, lungs and blood-vessels.
Childhood Obesity – Children and youth between the ages of 2 and 18 years who have body mass indexes (BMIs) equal to or greater than the 95th percentile of the age- and gender-specific BMI charts developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Target Heart Rate – A pre-determined pulse to be obtained during exercise when circulation is working at full efficient capacities. It is determined by training between 65%-85% of your maximum heart rate.
Type 1 Diabetes – Formally known as “insulin-dependent,” or “juvenile diabetes.” Type 1 diabetes is a life-long condition in which the pancreas stops making insulin. Without insulin, the body is not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. To treat the disease, a person must inject insulin, follow a diet plan, exercise daily, and test blood sugar several times a day. Type 1 diabetes usually begins in the earlier stages of life.
Type 2 Diabetes – Formally known as “noninsulin-dependent” or “adult-onset diabetes.” Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes mellitus. About 90 to 95 percent of people who have diabetes have type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes produce insulin, but either do not make enough insulin or their bodies do not use the insulin they make. Most of the people who have this type of diabetes are overweight. Type 2 diabetes is mostly due to environmental factors.
VO2 Max – The highest volume of oxygen a person can consume during exercise. Often used as a predictor of potential in endurance sports, indicating cardiovascular efficiency.