Teachers May Play a Key Role in Fighting Childhood Obesity

An innovative physical activities program is helping North Carolina fight childhood obesity.

Be Active Kids, developed at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG), is designed for children up to 5 years old. Teachers play a key role in the program as recent research found that when teachers direct these physical activities, young children become more active and less sedentary.

"When teachers directed the activities, activity levels increased in all six classrooms," FPG Investigator Allison De Marco said in a statement. "And moderate to vigorous activity increased in five of six."

De Marco said the Be Active Kids guide works to increase activity and to decrease sedentary behaviors. Whether through "Tip Toe Through Puddles" or "Lily Pad Walk," results show why child care teachers must take the lead to promote high levels of physical activities for their children.

Research has long shown that being overweight during childhood is associated with health issues later in life. Obesity, coupled with a lack of physical activity, can lead to coronary heart disease, hypertension, Type II diabetes, and other chronic diseases. About one-third of overweight preschoolers and one-half of overweight school-age children remain overweight as adults, De Marco added.

"In the past twenty years, childhood obesity rates have skyrocketed," De Marco said. "And for the first time in over a century, children's life expectancies are declining because of increased numbers of overweight kids."

Physical activities can reduce the chances of developing obesity and chronic disease, while positively influencing other areas of development. Childhood physical activity is related to better health, higher test scores, and fewer behavioral problems.

Be Active Kids is making the physical activity guide available at no cost to child care teachers around North Carolina and offering sample activities online.

"Teachers want to promote healthier child outcomes," De Marco said. "Our work with Be Active Kids shows just how important teachers are to that process."