Try ATA Martial Arts is Fighting Obesity

Childhood obesity is one of the largest health problems facing the world today. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, over 12.5 million children between the ages of 2 and 19 are considered overweight or obese, a statistic that has more than doubled in the last 30 years. Health professionals explain this alarming trend by noting that too many children are eating unhealthy foods, and not participating in enough physical activities throughout the day. Not only does childhood obesity lead to various health problems, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke, it also increase children’s chances of remaining obese well into adulthood

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Many schools are looking for viable solutions that can help their students lose the necessary pounds in an effective and lasting way. Obviously, the one thing schools are taking a closer look at is its Physical Education and Health classes. Many school professionals believe that these two classes hold the key to helping students make healthy lifestyle changes that will last into adulthood. One idea it to use body composition testing to help students realize if they are at risk for obesity or not. While this is a controversial issue, many believe that realizing there is a problem is the first step to finding a solution. The idea is that if you provide the students with valuable information about their health it will motivate them to find healthy solutions.

Some of the main concerns over body composition testing are who will perform the tests, privacy factors, possibility of bullying, and that fact that students may not fully understand that results. The body composition test is done by using calipers to take three to seven skin-fold measurements of a person’s body fat. It is imperative that the test is administered by a trained professional or it could create erroneous results. Each school conducting these tests would need to create a privacy policy that ensures the results are not available to teachers or other students. Schools must also create an enforceable anti-bullying program that is designed to protect students from embarrassment. To receive any type of positive results, the testing must go hand-in-hand with classroom education that helps the students understand what the results mean, and provides them with practical solutions.

“Before Amber and Adrian started Taekwondo ATA Karate Classes, they used to be really shy, and whenever they had to do a school project and talk in front of the class, you could barely hear them. Both of them were really nervous. But, since they started with the ATA [Karate] and the Leadership classes both can talk in front of the class and it has helped their grades.”

-Mark Kashay (father of Adrian and Amber)

In addition to testing, schools are also looking for positive ways to enhance the current PE curriculum to include strategies that encourage students to become more physically active. Communities are also stepping up to the plate by encouraging kids to participate in healthy activities. For example, TryATA karate for kids and martial arts has become increasingly popular in recent years. This program is more than just learning how to kick and punch, it is about teaching children responsibility and dedication. The great thing about TryATA is that kids really enjoy participating in the program, and it builds their self-esteem while teaching them physical fitness strategies that will last a lifetime. It provides students with a safe place for physical activity that helps them lose those unwanted pounds.

Parents, teachers and the community must work together if there is any hope in ending this dangerous illness. Children need to learn the importance of eating healthy, and must have plenty of opportunities to participate in different physical activities. TryATA martial arts is leading the way to fighting obesity by providing students a fun activity that keeps them physically active while building their self-esteem and creating life long fitness habits. It is important to remember that it took years for obesity to become an epidemic and it is likely to take years to reverse its effects, but working together is the best way to find a successful solution.

Call us today at 1-800-887-1010 for more information on the programs offered by TryATA!

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