Fitness for youth

Jan. 6, 2008

Research at the University of Michigan shows that kids in Michigan are “fatter” than their counterparts in other states. In 2000, thirty-three percent of Michigan girls and 34% of Michigan boys were classified as overweight. Eighteen percent of girls between the ages of 12-18 and 19% of boys between the ages of 12-19 were evaluated as obese.
The study was conducted eight years ago, and little has changed for the youth in Michigan. Recent federal government studies show Michigan residents regardless of age at or near the top of the charts when it comes to being overweight or obese.

A kids Lifestyle
There are several factors that are attributed to weight gain including improper diet, lack of sleep, heredity and inactivity. Bookstores, publications and mainstream media are loaded with books and articles on diets and physical fitness routines geared towards the adult population, while little is available for kids. When kids become overweight and obese at an early age, they set themselves up for several health concerns throughout their life.
“Obesity is an important risk factor in heart disease,” said Dr. Charles T. Kuntzleman, University of Michigan professor and a leading authority on youth fitness. “Evidence is now available that risk factors such as obesity track - that is, if a child is overweight or obese at age 12, there is a greater likelihood that he or she will be overweight or obese as an adult.”

EARLIER FITNESS
Dr. Kuntzleman adds: “Long-standing obesity increases medical problems, and consequently, health care costs,” says Kuntzleman. “It is conjecture on my part, but I find it significant that Michigan is in the top ten states for heart disease in this country. One reason may be that our children have a higher obesity rate, and hence, increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.”
Studies also have found that children who have weight issues often have low self esteem that may impact their success at school and other activities.
Researchers and fitness experts say there are several things that should be done. The first is starting in the home with parents modeling healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle. Parents are often unaware that their children are overweight or are unwilling to admit to it, so experts suggest asking your pediatrician if your son or daughter is at a healthy weight for their body type and age.
Next, experts suggest that parents look at what is being served at school for lunch and what type of physical activity kids get at school. If your school is not serving healthy meals for lunch, consider packing a lunch with fresh fruits and vegetables minus processed foods. Because of academic curriculum requirements, many kids do not go to gym class on a daily basis. Add in recent generations attraction to video games and other sedentary activities, and some kids today are just getting less physical exercise.
Dr. Kuntzleman, who has been honored by several Presidents for his leadership in the area of youth fitness, started his organization Earlier Fitness for Youth nearly 40 years ago to focus on programs to keep kids physically active. He encourages parents to look to youth sports programs in their community to keep children active.
“Our studies have shown that Fitness for Youth-type programs can reduce children’s body fat by as much as 5%,” said Dr. Kuntzleman. “There is so much emphasis on competitive sports, but any type of physical activity on a regular basis is great, whether it is bike riding, swimming, or martial arts, or even regular walks as a family. The important thing is to get active. Developing a physical fitness routine at a young age carries over into adulthood.”
His sentiments are echoed by several local youth sports and fitness organizations that feel they are great resources but are often overlooked by the media.
“There is a tendency in the media to focus on just a handful of high school sports and what is happening at the collegiate and professional level, while programs like ours that serve thousands of kids in the area get very little attention,” said Thomas Singer, Director of Coaching & Player Development for TBAYS (youth soccer program). “On Saturday mornings in the fall and in the spring, we have close to 500 kids between the ages of 3 to 8 out playing soccer. We have programs and teams for older youths as well, and now we have an indoor complex so we have a year round program. It is amazing that after 20 years of existence we are still somewhat of an unknown commodity to our community.”
Singer and TBAYS are not alone. While participation in the numerous competitive youth sports programs is decent, most organizers feel that many families in the region are unaware of all the options available to them.

KIDS NOT PROFITS
One stumbling block for competitive and recreational sports and fitness programs are the fees attached to them. A survey of several youth organizations in Northern Michigan show that most have scholarships available, and their missions are about kids, not profits, so in most cases no one is turned away. Do not let financial concerns get in the way of your kids health.
So where do parents turn to learn more about physical fitness opportunities for their kids? Start with your children’s gym teachers. Visit a local sporting goods store or your local YMCA. There are literally physical fitness opportunities for every interest, even in the smallest communities throughout Northern Michigan.
Get your kids started early, and regardless of their age get them started now. Start with improving your eating habits at home. Plan family activities such as walks, bike rides or even running as family (there are 5k and 10k runs almost every weekend throughout Northern Michigan.) Sign your kids up for some sort of physical activity and competitive sport.
By doing so you will find that your kids will be better behaved, they will do better in school and more importantly they will be healthier throughout life.
Here is a sampling of youth programs in the region:

General Fitness:
YMCA: There are several YMCA organizations throughout Northern Michigan that offer a variety of youth fitness programs. To locate the YMCA near you, go to ymca.net.
Community/Independent Programs: Several parks and recreation departments offer a variety of physical fitness programs for kids. There are also several independent programs such as dance, gymnastics and martial arts that are coordinated by local entrepreneurs. There are several new programs as well; one that is gaining in popularity is Girls On The Run, a non-competitive program for pre-teen girls. Go to girlsontherun.org to find a program in your community or for details on how to start one.

Football:
POP Warner: Nearly every community in Northern Michigan has at least one Pop Warner football team. Serving kids (boys and girls) ages 8 to 12, the program had 85 teams and 2,500 participants last year. Sign up has already started for next fall. Go to ymcafootball.com to find the organizer in your community.

Soccer:
TBAYS: Serves the Grand Traverse region and offers programs for youth ages 3 to 19 year round. Currently they are offering indoor programs; sign up for spring soccer is underway at tbays.org.
Petoskey Soccer: Serving the youth of Petoskey, go to petoskeysoccer.com to sign up for spring soccer and learn more about summer and fall programs.
Other: Soccer continues to gain in popularity and several communities have started programs. The sport is an excellent cardiovascular workout. To see if your community has a program or to learn how to get a program started, check out mysa.net.

Baseball/Softball:
Little League: There are Little League programs throughout Northern Michigan. This is not just baseball–several Little League organizations offer softball as well. Sign up is starting soon. To find the Little League program in your community, contact Dorine Britton who serves as the district administrator for Northern Michigan, britupnorth@email.com or call 231.582.9707.
TAGS: In Traverse City there is TAGS, a softball program for girls ages 5 to 18. Registration is starting for this spring and summer. Tagssoftball.com
Other: Several communities offer baseball and softball programs that are independent of Little League. Check with your local parks and recreation department.

Swimming:
Lessons: Several organizations offer lessons. Swimming is great exercise and with the number of lakes and rivers in the regions it is important for all kids to know how to swim. Check with your local YMCA or parks and recreation department to learn more about swimming lesson opportunities.
TC Breakers: For those interested in competitive swimming the TC Breakers offers and excellent opportunity. They also have a Junior Breakers program. Sponsonroed by the TC Swim Club this program serves kids from ages 5 to 18. Details on all of their programs at tcbreakers.com.
Hammerhead Swim Club: If you are in the Petoskey/Harbor Springs area then check out the Hammerhead Swim Club harborinc.org.

Skating:
Figure: Northern Michigan has several figure skating programs that are available year round for boys and girls. Whether you are interested in competitive or recreational skating there is a program out there. To find a skating club or organization in your community go to usfigureskating.org.
Hockey: Hockey is popular throughout Michigan, and there are several youth association offering both recreational and competitive programs for both boys and girls. A complete list of organizations for Northern Michigan is at maha.org.