By
Mariane Wray - WBC Coach
(Adapted
from the American Council on Exercise Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist
Manual)
Life has changed since I was young.
No longer do kids roam the neighbourhood for hours on end with their friends,
and turn up at someone's house when they get hungry. No, now we live in
apartments, travel everywhere in cars, take our kids to after school tuition,
and place more importance on academic achievement than physical movement.
Well, turns out that physical
movement is likely to have a direct impact on academic ability, among other
things. More on this later.
Youth & Obesity:
Physical activity amongst children
and adolescents (youth) is becoming a major public health concern. Look around,
it’s
easy to spot fat kids these days. I don't remember any kids being overweight
when I was a child, and nor should they be. This problem is so significant,
that health agencies are predicting that the youth of this generation will not
experience life as long as their parents, due to the increase in weight related
illness and disease.
In the U.S, the prevalence of
childhood obesity has tripled over the past few decades, and Type II Diabetes
(once called adult onset diabetes) is now being diagnosed in adolescents.
Although there are relatively few studies on youth obesity in developing
countries, the information that is available suggests that changes in dietary
practices and an increase in time spent in
sedentary activity have caused an increasing prevalence of childhood
obesity in developing countries such as Malaysia[1].
In Malaysia, the recent
industrialisation and urbanisation has brought about changes in lifestyle.
These changes include differences in diet and physical activity, which are
known to be associated with changes in health and an increase in chronic
diseases[2].
Local studies[3] highlight the increase in nutrition and weight related
diseases, across age, ethnicity, and location of residence (urban vs. rural) in
Malaysia. Malaysian adults are currently the fattest in South East Asia, and it
appears as though this trend is being passed on to their offspring.
Sedentary habits gained during
childhood and adolescence increases the risk of developing major health
problems such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis later in
life. The onset of diabetes in youth is especially of concern, as it means that
conditions related to this disease, such as blindness, amputations and kidney
failure, will occur earlier in life. Youth obesity is associated with mental
health problems, such as depression and low self-esteem. This is difficult to
assess and treat here in Malaysia, given the stigma associated with mental
health conditions, and the limitations of the health system to deal with these
issues.
Obese youth often report having fewer
friends, are more likely to be teased about their weight and ostracised by
their peers. They miss more days of school, which may significantly impact upon
the quality of the education they receive. Obese youth also report a diminished
quality of life in comparison with their healthy weight peers.
How has this happened in Malaysia?
How have these significant health
issues developed amongst Malaysians? Particularly when this country has had the
luxury of observing mistakes made in the developed world?
picture from Google Images
Instead of active, unstructured
outdoor play, youth are spending more time with electronic media. Time outside
of school is more and more taken up with sedentary tuition, and leisure time is
spent online or with electronic devices. In addition, high energy snack foods
and beverages are easily accessible and affordable, and many youth are not
meeting the minimal nutrition recommendations of five servings of vegetables
and fruit each day. Schools are reducing or eliminating play time, in favour of
more study time, and many Malaysian schools do not have outdoor equipment for
children to play on and develop movement skills. Urbanisation often involves
living in a condominium or high rise, where getting outside is difficult, and
childhood activities such as bike riding are impossible on Malaysian roads and
in the suburbs.
Benefits of Physical Activity in
Youth:
So obesity and overweight in children
and adolescents is a significant problem, but one that is not insurmountable.
Efforts to increase physical activity during childhood and adolescence are
likely to have favourable health benefits in later years, most noticeably the
absence of weight related illness and disease. Behaviours acquired during youth
that promote health are likely to be carried on into adulthood. These physical
activity habits established during childhood and adolescence may have the
greatest impact on longevity and mortality - meaning that if your child
participates in physical activity now, they are likely to engage in physical
activity habits as adults, and live a longer, healthier life than their
sedentary peers.
Not only may the physical activity
habits you instil in your child today help them to live a healthier, longer
life, but they are likely to experience many of the other significant health
benefits associated with physical activity. Some of these are listed below.
Benefits to Youth of Physical
Activity:
•
Increased muscular fitness
•
Increased aerobic fitness
•
Increased bone density
•
Reduction of body fat
•
Improved motor skills
•
Enhanced sports performance
•
Increased resistance to injury
•
Enhanced psychological well-being
•
Positive social interactions with peers
•
Increased self-esteem
•
Improved attitude towards lifelong physical
activity
•
Enhanced academic performance
Physical Activity & Academic
Achievement:
Although research on the effects of
physical activity and exercise on academic performance is sparse, technological
advances in this area are examining this relationship further. However,
previous studies have concluded a significant and positive relationship between
physical activity and cognitive functioning in children[4]. Providing opportunities for your child to engage in
physical activities not only has the potential to increase the quality and
quantity of their lives, but also to improve their cognitive abilities and
academic performance.
Youth Physical Activity
Recommendations:
Current physical activity recommendations
for youth are at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous activity.
This does not have to be all in one go, and ideally children prefer to take
this activity in 5 to 10 minute bursts - watch them play, and you will notice
this. This activity can be made up of several 10 - 15 minute sessions, and
should occur naturally throughout their day through activities like playing at
school, participating in organised physical activities, or being allowed to
play with friends outside.
Junior Bootcamp:
In light of the information above,
organised youth physical activity programmes are of major importance in
Malaysia. In a country where outdoor activity is avoided, and sedentary
lifestyles are increasing, Junior Bootcamp offers youth the opportunity to get
outside and play in a fun, safe environment that meets the minimum daily
recommendations for youth activity. Junior Bootcamp is a supportive environment
that challenges the junior warriors physically,
but allows them to engage in natural, developmental behaviours and
activities. Junior Bootcamp provides the opportunity to make new friends, enjoy
the feeling of movement and physical activity, as well as promoting confidence
and self-esteem.
So what are you waiting for? Get your
kids down to Junior Bootcamp this Saturday!
WARRIOR JUNIOR BOOTCAMP
For ages 6 - 9 & 10 - 14
for more information please go to
call/ WhatsApp: 012 459 4728
email: bootcamp.pg@gmail.com
References:
[1] Gupta, N., Goel, K., Shah, P. &
Misra, A. (2012) Childhood Obesity in Developing Countries: Epidemiology,
Determinants, and Prevention. Endocrine Reviews, Vol. 33 (1).
[2] Noor,
M. I. (2002). The nutrition and health transition in Malaysia. Public
Health Nutrition, Vol. 5 (1a), p 191-195.
[3] Noor
(2002) & Moy, F.M., Gan, C.Y., and Zaleha, M, K, S. (2004). Body mass
status of school children and adolescents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Asia
Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition,13
(4), p324-329.
[4] Sibley, B.A., & Etnier, J.L.
(2003). The relationship between physical activity and cognition in
children: A meta-analysis. Paediatric Exercise Science, 15, p 243 - 256.
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