Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Cold Hard Facts


Cold Hard Facts
concerning Childhood Obesity

· 16 percent of children (over 9 million) 6-19 years old are overweight or obese -- a number that has tripled since 1980. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

· Over the past three decades the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years and adolescents aged 12-19 years. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

· Over the past three decades the childhood obesity rates has more than tripled for children aged 6-11 years. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

· Obesity-associated annual hospital costs for children and youth more than tripled over two decades, rising from $35 million in 1979-1981 to $127 million in 1997-1999. ("Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance, 2005," Institute of Medicine)

· According to a national study, 92 percent of elementary schools do not provide daily physical education classes for all students throughout the entire year. (School Health Policies and Programs Study. Journal of School Health 2001:71[7])

· Just 47 percent of middle/junior high schools and 26 percent of high schools require at least 3 years of physical education. (Pate, Small et all., 1995)

· Physical activity has been associated with increased academic performance, self-concept, mood, and mental health, the promotion of physical activity and exercise may also improve quality of life. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

From the
US Surgeon General

· 300,000 deaths each year in the United States are associated with obesity.

· Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk for some types of cancer including eudiometrical (cancer of the lining of the uterus), colon, gall bladder, prostate, kidney, and postmenopausal breast cancer.

· Risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, occur with increased frequency in overweight children and adolescents compared to those with a healthy weight.

· Type II Diabetes previously considered an adult disease, has increased dramatically in children and adolescents. Of children diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, 85% are obese. Overweight and obesity are closely linked to Type II Diabetes.

· The economic cost of obesity in the United States was about $117 billion in 2000.

· It is recommended that Americans accumulate at least 30 minutes (adults) or 60 minutes (children) of moderate physical activity most days of the week. More may be needed to prevent weight gain, to lose weight, or to maintain weight loss.

· The most immediate consequence of being overweight, as perceived by the children themselves, is social discrimination.

From the
US Department of Health and Human Services


· Physical activity declines dramatically over the course of adolescence, and girls are significantly less likely than boys to participate regularly in vigorous physical activity.

· Nearly 50 million adults (between the ages of 20 and 74), or 27 percent of the adult population, are obese; overall more than 108 million adults, or 61 percent of the adult population are either obese or overweight.

· Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. This increases to 80 percent if one or more parent is overweight or obese.

· 43 percent of students in grades 9-12 watch television more than two hours per day.

· In a 1993 study, 14% percent of all deaths in the United States were attributed to activity patterns and diet.

· Another study linked sedentary lifestyles to 23 percent of deaths from major chronic diseases. For example, physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of developing or dying from heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure.

· On average, people who are physically active outlive those who are inactive.

Physical Requirements Guidelines Vision

Universal Kempo-Karate Schools Association


Physical Requirements Vision


A growing concern today is the national problem of obesity in children and adults. This is a serious health issue and is a threat to the future of our next generation. We are fortunate to have the facilities and the athletic knowledge to be a tremendous resource in the fight to solve this problem.

The Universal Kempo-Karate Schools Association Physical Requirements is a simple routine consisting of a combination of push-ups, sit-ups and jumping rope that progressively becomes more challenging as the student grows stronger. The secret is to have these activities incorporated into the school curriculum by setting aside 6 to 8 minutes of each class to complete this routine. This is a great opportunity for all martial arts schools to demonstrate to the public that they are making a serious contribution to help our children AVOID the health challenges that result from obesity.


Dedicated to your achievement,

Garland R. Johnson
Assistant Professor Garland R. Johnson
Universal Kempo-Karate Schools Association
March 16, 2004