Mar 3, 2005 2 min read

At some point people have to become weary of defining a problem and begin working on solutions. How many times do we need to hear that our children are growing obese? Do we really need to waste more time debating the causes? It’s fairly simple. We feed them overly processed food, laden in sugar and fats and then encourage them to sit behind desks, computers, TVs and video games. We think of physical activity only as organized sports. Yet we continue to wonder why these kids are obese or why so many are diabetic. Isn’t it about time that we begin enacting solutions? Maybe we can’t afford gym teachers every day in every elementary, middle and high school. But maybe we can drop our kids off a couple blocks from school and have them walk the rest of the way.

That’s one of the ideas that the Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity proposes. The group hosted a statewide satellite broadcast training session recently to talk about successful programs in communities and schools that encourage kids to make healthier day-to-day choices. One of these is the “walking school bus” that drops students off at safe locations where they walk the rest of the way to school. Unfortunately, not one person in Fayette County registered for the session. PANA says the information on that program is still available and that there is some grant money available for sidewalk construction in areas lacking.

For the most part, it needn’t take much money to prompt kids to move. But it does take adults willing to step away from fretting and actively encourage motion. A good place to start is at your schools next parent-teacher meeting.