Encourage Children To Stay Active, Healthy

Joe Moore, president and CEO, International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association – Boston

"Encourage children to stay active, healthy The recent finding that there is a sharp drop in physical activity levels as children become teenagers underscores the urgency of our country's health crisis (‘As kids get older, they drop the ball on exercise,’ Life, July 16). Our current culture of inactivity, overconsumption and unhealthy living wasn't created by America's youth; they're its victims. It's the responsibility of every parent, educator, policymaker, legislator, industry leader and medical professional to create a culture of health in this country that supports physical activity, sound nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices. This includes increases in physical education requirements, legislation that supports healthy living and realigning our health care system to focus on prevention first. The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association recently started the Teen Fitness Connection, an outreach program that invites IHRSA health clubs across the country to fight physical inactivity and teen obesity.”

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/07/encourage-chi-1.html?csp=34