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<\/p>\nStudents today are faced with many decisions in their life. FLOC aims to help students understand that they constantly have many choices, even when it comes to their health and the health of their community. Part of the youth empowerment programming adopted by FLOC\u2019s West Virginia Leaders in Action program includes the self-awareness and knowledge that they do have power to make good decisions and affect change.<\/p>\n
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Here in WV, the statistics for childhood obesity rates reached close to\u00a018.5% in 2011<\/a>\u00a0placing the state high on the list at number 13 compared with the 50 other states. For the same year,\u00a0DC youth obesity rates were just above\u00a021%<\/a>\u00a0putting the district at 4th<\/sup>\u00a0highest\u00a0among other states. \u00a0\u00a0Poor health and nutrition and lack of activity can also be major determining factors in a person\u2019s ability to focus, to sleep well, and have energy and motivation. The link between education and health is well documented, but it would not be surprising that students\u2019\u00a0health could affect their education as well.<\/p>\n For the second half of the fall semester, our Leaders in Action programs have been immersed in the Health and Nutrition unit. Students looked at the consequences of added sugars with the enhanced visuals of actually measuring out the numbers of teaspoons of sugar in a variety of familiar foods and products. They also discussed standard dental hygiene practices and strategies for caring for our protective tooth enamel such as avoiding sugary acidic beverages. Everyone was surprised to learn that most fruit juices and sports drinks are comparable to sodas when it comes to acidity and sugar content.<\/p>\n The focus this month is on the importance of movement and activity in our lives.\u00a0 Learning or developing unhealthy habits as a child can set a person up for a lifetime of difficulties and disease. \u00a0Play and movement can be fun, and implementing healthy habits can increase a child\u2019s energy and confidence.\u00a0 So last week, in honor of the\u00a0First Lady\u2019s Let\u2019s Move campaign<\/a>, we visited a local county park\u2019s indoor playground and got active for one\u00a0hour.\u00a0 After learning how to measure their heart rates and get them up to beneficial levels, with the help of a moon bounce and some fun games like clothes pin tag, all those present got the recommended 60 minutes of activity in for that day.<\/p>\n
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