Change in Activity Level Change in Activity Level through Evolutionthrough Evolution

The average child spends about The average child spends about 5 ½ hours/day using media 5 ½ hours/day using media (t.v., videos, music, computers, (t.v., videos, music, computers, video games)video games)

Physical ActivityPhysical Activity Fewer children are fit and active in the Fewer children are fit and active in the

pastpast Children are exhibiting early signs of Children are exhibiting early signs of

CVD risk factors and Type 2 diabetes CVD risk factors and Type 2 diabetes  Inactive children, when compared with Inactive children, when compared with

active children, weigh more and have active children, weigh more and have higher blood pressure.higher blood pressure.

Watching t.v. requires no energy above Watching t.v. requires no energy above resting metabolic ratesresting metabolic rates

T.V. reduces the time the child spends T.V. reduces the time the child spends in energetic activitiesin energetic activities

(Dietz, Gortmaker, Pediatrics, (Dietz, Gortmaker, Pediatrics, 1985)1985)

TelevisionTelevision

Food Group RepresentationFood Group Representation During Saturday Morning Commercials During Saturday Morning Commercials

43.4%Grains

50.3%Other

4.5%Milk

1.8%Meat

0%Veg.

0%Fruit

A New ParadigmA New Paradigm Research shows that it is healthier Research shows that it is healthier

to be “fit and fat” than “unfit and to be “fit and fat” than “unfit and thin” thin”

Thin does not mean healthy Thin does not mean healthy Weight is only one factor to healthWeight is only one factor to health

Healthy bodies, healthy Healthy bodies, healthy mindsminds

Smart ActivitiesSmart Activities   Any physical movement can count Any physical movement can count

for kids and adults:for kids and adults:– WalkingWalking– SwimmingSwimming– Dodge ballDodge ball– DancingDancing– Raking leavesRaking leaves– HouseworkHousework– Making a snowmanMaking a snowman

Smart ActivitiesSmart Activities Each person is unique and will Each person is unique and will

enjoy doing different hobbies and enjoy doing different hobbies and activities. activities.

Each person has the potential to Each person has the potential to be active in his or her own way.be active in his or her own way.

Choose an action verb and do it.Choose an action verb and do it.

Can I order some self-Can I order some self-esteem and healthy body esteem and healthy body image with those fries? image with those fries?

““It is difficult to envision an environment It is difficult to envision an environment more effective than our own for more effective than our own for producing nearly universal body producing nearly universal body

dissatisfaction, preoccupation with dissatisfaction, preoccupation with eating and weight, clinical cases of eating and weight, clinical cases of eating disorders, and obesity. The eating disorders, and obesity. The damaging paradox is that while an damaging paradox is that while an

extremely lean contoured and sculpted extremely lean contoured and sculpted body is ideal…the environment provides body is ideal…the environment provides access to and encourages consumption access to and encourages consumption

of a diet that is high in fat, high in of a diet that is high in fat, high in calories, delicious, widely available, and calories, delicious, widely available, and

low in cost.”low in cost.”(Battle)(Battle)

Media ImagesMedia Images Slim actors, actresses, and models are Slim actors, actresses, and models are

prevalent in t.v. shows, movies, and prevalent in t.v. shows, movies, and advertisements advertisements

As the ideal female body size has gotten As the ideal female body size has gotten smaller, the actual body size of the smaller, the actual body size of the average woman has increasedaverage woman has increased

Unrealistic cultural ideals for both males Unrealistic cultural ideals for both males and females are projected through and females are projected through books, magazines, television, and even books, magazines, television, and even children’s toyschildren’s toys

Cultural Ideals for ChildrenCultural Ideals for Children

The Media UncoveredThe Media Uncovered BarbieBarbie

– The Facts: A 5’7 female of 124 lbs and The Facts: A 5’7 female of 124 lbs and average body proportion, would need to grow average body proportion, would need to grow 12 inches in her bust, lose 10 inches off her 12 inches in her bust, lose 10 inches off her waist, and measure 7’2” in height to attain waist, and measure 7’2” in height to attain Barbie’s proportions.Barbie’s proportions.

– BrownellBrownell G.I. JoeG.I. Joe

– The Facts: If G.I. Joe Extreme were a live being, The Facts: If G.I. Joe Extreme were a live being, he would have a 48” chest, a cut 32” waist, he would have a 48” chest, a cut 32” waist, and unfathomable 32” biceps.and unfathomable 32” biceps.

– Horton Horton

Media images can distort the Media images can distort the concept of “beauty” and concept of “beauty” and

“perfection”“perfection”

Body ImageBody Image Poor body image is not only an issue Poor body image is not only an issue

among overweight individualsamong overweight individuals Just as we should Just as we should encourage acceptance encourage acceptance

of diversity in color, we should accept of diversity in color, we should accept diversity in size, not perpetuate fatism, diversity in size, not perpetuate fatism, and focus on a person’s individuality and focus on a person’s individuality and characterand character

Each person is unique. Each person’s Each person is unique. Each person’s body is unique. Individuals come in body is unique. Individuals come in different sizes, shapes, and weights.different sizes, shapes, and weights.

Promoting Positive Body ImagePromoting Positive Body Image Provide praise and positive comments Provide praise and positive comments

to children that focus on strengths – not to children that focus on strengths – not on weighton weight

Create an environment of acceptanceCreate an environment of acceptance Recognize that body shapes will change Recognize that body shapes will change

with growthwith growth Have a positive attitude about your own Have a positive attitude about your own

body and weightbody and weight

What Can You Do?What Can You Do?

Be A Great Role ModelBe A Great Role Model As parents and/or teachers, you As parents and/or teachers, you

are the most important role are the most important role models for childrenmodels for children

Practice what you “preach”Practice what you “preach”

Be Smart!Be Smart! Smart FoodsSmart Foods Smart ChoicesSmart Choices Smart DrinksSmart Drinks Smart SnacksSmart Snacks Smart ActivitiesSmart Activities Smart ImageSmart Image

Thank You …Thank You …And QuestionsAnd Questions

Do

ReflectApply

1EXPERIENCEthe activity;

perform; do it

2SHARE

the results, reactions, and observations

publicly

3PROCESS

by discussing, looking at the experience;

analyze, reflect

4GENERALIZE

to connect the experience to

real world examples

5APPLY

what was learned to a

similar or different situation; practice