Third Graders Healthy?

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From Your Health Journal…..”What a great story being reviewed here today from the Messenger Index, which I highly recommend your visiting. They usually have some great health related stories on their site, so use the link provided below to visit. The article today discusses how third graders in Idaho are at normal weight, but the percentage of overweight or obese children in that age bracket is continuing to rise. The state department has recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, and limit the technology, which promotes sedentary lifestyle. The newest results from this study found that 69 percent of the students were at a healthy weight, 15 percent were overweight and 15 percent were obese. A very small percentage, 2 percent, were considered underweight. Male students were slightly more likely than female students to be categorized as obese. It is so refreshing to read great work being done at the local level to fight obesity. I highly recommend your reading the full story at the Messenger Index site. Happy holidays.

From the article…..

A majority of Idaho’s third graders are at a healthy weight, according to a recent assessment, but the percentage of students who are overweight or obese continues to increase. Public health officials are encouraging parents to help children get at least an hour of physical activity a day and to limit their time on computers and in front of TVs.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare worked with the public health districts to conduct the Idaho third grade Body Mass Index (BMI) Assessment. The BMI assessment measured a representative sampling (2,102) of the state’s third grade students’ height and weight to determine whether they were underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight or obese based on their age at the time of the assessment and their gender. Compared to a similar third grade BMI assessment conducted in 2008, the percentage of obese third graders increased from 12.8 percent in 2008 to 14.6 percent in 2012.

This year’s assessment found that 69 percent of the students were at a healthy weight, 15 percent were overweight and 15 percent were obese. A very small percentage, 2 percent, were considered underweight. Male students were slightly more likely than female students to be categorized as obese.

“We’d like to help parents and their children learn that less screen time and more healthy snacks, meals and daily exercise is the best way to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle,” Angela Gribble, Idaho physical activity and nutrition program manager said.

To read the full article…..Click here

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