Dec 08 2012

What is Being Done to End Childhood Obesity?

Challenge to End Childhood Obesity

One way that you can help end childhood obesity is to cast your vote in the great Childhood Obesity Challenge. Simply create a login account (very quick & easy) then cast your vote for outdoor fitness and using trails to help kids stay active, happy and fit. The Childhood Obesity Challenge is just one of many creative programs designed to help end childhood obesity.

Let’s Move to End Childhood Obesity

bike riders on trail

trail pals & bike buddies

First Lady Michelle Obama is an integral part of the Let’s Move program that is designed to put a screeching halt to the ever-growing epidemic of childhood obesity. The Let’s Move initiative seeks to utilize physical activity combined with nutritious eating habits to help kids lead healthy lifestyles.

Get Kids Outside and Active on our Network of Trails

Of course, the key players in the fight to end obesity are parents, community members and the kids themselves. That’s why it’s important to get the word out about the resources that already exist to help kids stay active and fit. Trailsnet.com is one of the resources available to help kids lead a healthy lifestyle using their community trails as a way of staying healthy. That is why Trailsnet is trying to encourage more active use of our website. By adding their own trails and finding trails that are already in place, children will spend less time in front of the television and more time outside hiking, biking and playing on trails. Trailsnet hopes to secure funding to make our website more kid-friendly to help in the fight against childhood obesity. So please cast your vote today and help Trailsnet.com become a place where kids begin to connect with the great outdoors.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/12/08/what-is-being-done-to-end-childhood-obesity/

Dec 03 2012

Why End Childhood Obesity?

Problems With Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is no longer a problem that we can ignore. Over the past twenty years, it has become not only a significant health issue, but also an economic issue and even a (believe it or not) national defense issue.

two girls walk dog on trail

fun on trails

Some of the main problems with childhood obesity is that it:

  • significantly raises the rate of diabetes on a national level.
  • contributes to a higher rate of heart disease.
  • increases the incidence of certain cancers.
  • adds to the prevalence of other major illnesses such as lung disease and musculo-skeletal diseases.
As if all of that is not enough, the United States military forces warn that one in four Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 are too heavy to be admitted into military service.
The issue of obesity in general and childhood obesity specifically must be addressed. It is truly an epidemic. As with any epidemic, we need to have a clear and specific plan for eradicating it. Fortunately there are programs in place. One of the most high profile programs in place is called Let’s Move and is endorsed by First Lady Michelle Obama. As its name implies, the program strives to increase the activity level of children. In addition it also addresses nutritional issues and strives to improve the overall health of children.
Trailsnet.com is proud to be an active participant in the battle to end childhood obesity. In future Trailsnet blogposts, you will learn about:
  • What is being done to battle childhood obesity?
  • How can Trailsnet help to end childhood obesity?
  • What specific role will Trailsnet play in the war against childhood obesity?
  • Who will be recruited in Trailsnet’s Trails to Fitness program?

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/12/03/why-end-childhood-obesity/

Nov 24 2012

Getting Started In Trail Running

Find a Running Trail & Get Started

Today I’d like to talk to you about getting started running. A lot of people ask how they can get started, and I’m going to take just a few moments to tell you. Now people have various reasons to want to start running. Some people want to lose weight. Some people want to get in better shape. Some people want to revive their old running past from high school or something. Whatever you want to do – maybe you want to start running with your spouse. Maybe you want to start running with a friend. Maybe you want to start running with your dog. Whatever you want to do. There are great running trails everywhere, so if running on a road isn’t your cup of tea, finding a great trail should be no problem.

I personally am a barefoot runner. Recently I’ve taken to wearing Vol51 Five Fingers. These are a new pair I just got this morning so they’re not very dirty yet. I actually use these as an intermediary between running shoes and going barefoot. I have been running in shoes my whole life up until five months ago. I’m currently training for a run across the UK. Here are some simple ways to get started.

Trail Running Tips

The First thing is to get out there. Get started. Just do something today. Don’t go do so much you end up maimed and hurting tomorrow, but just go do five minutes. That’s not so hard. Just do five minutes. You’ll probably feel like a novice, you’ll probably feel weird, you may even feel awkward – but it’ll be five minutes you didn’t run yesterday. And the next day run five more minutes. What you absolutely, positively want to do is find someone who is in slightly better shape then you and run with them. The reason for this is that they are more experienced and they aren’t going to let you quit on them. So do find someone in slightly better shape then you and do let them push. Run a little further every day. The biggest thing – you don’t need fancy shoes, (although if you have the money specialist running shoes never hurt anyone and it’s a good idea to buy shoes with good support) but the point is that you don’t have to be in great shape.

Running Clothes

If you’re in warm weather you just need short sleeves and some shorts – No running tights nothing like that, you don’t even need running shoes! The whole point is to get you out there and build momentum. It is easier to maintain momentum then it is to get it started again. That’s why we want to get you started with a five minute run today. So you run five minutes, get a partner who is slightly better than you. Schedule your running time so that you have to go meet them even  if just its five minutes.

Because they’re going to be waiting for you and if you stand them up you’re going to feel like a schmuck, and that is the best way to stay on track. Rather than start for a couple of days and then go quiet like many of us do.

  • Lee is an experienced runner, jogger and long distance runner and works and writes for podplus-shop.co.uk. If you would like to see how we can up your game with our sports apparal please stop by for a visit.

Image credit: lululemon athletica Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/11/24/getting-started-in-trail-running/

Nov 22 2012

Childhood Obesity Pervasive

Childhood Obesity Worse in Southwestern U.S. But…

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving turkey

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Having said that, be carefully how much you indulge. Especially if you live in Mississippi. According to nearly every study on childhood obesity, the state of Mississippi has been the hardest hit. Whereas the folks who live in Utah, Colorado and Oregon have the most to be thankful for since each of those states ranks as having the lowest childhood obesity rate, depending on which studies you study.

Fitness and Childhood Obesity Not the Same, But…

Interestingly, the fitness index doesn’t look exactly the same as the childhood obesity index. According to recent findings, Connecticut has the fittest children while Alaska has the least fit. It would appear that childhood obesity and children’s fitness are closely related, but not exactly the same. Mississippi is a good example of this. It is ranked as the worst state when it comes to childhood obesity and 47th (4th to the worst) when it comes to fitness.

Childhood Obesity Studies Focus on Data But…

Childhood obesity figures are determined based on fairly specific bits of factual information such as weight, body fat indexes and height. Most fitness studies, however, focus more on the causes of obesity and poor fitness rather than the results. So a fitness study is more likely to focus on factors such as “availability of safe playgrounds, rates of participation in youth sports, and the number of fast-food restaurants.”

It is important to look at both fitness and obesity figures. In essence, it is highly unlikely that an obese child would be fit, but there is a likelihood that a child who is unfit may not be obese. However, even if a child is not obese, we cannot ignore their fitness needs. Today’s unfit child could very likely become tomorrow’s obese child or adult.

Fitness should be the goal for all children. Fitness is the key to both treatment and prevention when it comes to childhood obesity. If children find the joys of outdoor play in general and trail fitness particularly, they are well on their way to a more active and healthy lifestyle. Let’s fight childhood obesity through fitness, fun and trails.

 

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/11/22/childhood-obesity-pervasive/

Nov 20 2012

Leading Causes of Obesity

Lack of Exercise Main Cause of Childhood Obesity

As promised in our last blog post, Trailsnet will be focusing on the issue of childhood obesity. In particular, today’s post will examine the causes of childhood obesity. The overall conclusions may not be surprising, but some of the details will surely interest our readers. The main reasons for childhood obesity are well known but worthwhile for further review:

  1. Insufficient Exercise – It is well documented that children do not get as much exercise as they used to or as they need. The reasons for this pattern include over dependence on motorized transportation, safety issues, and home factors such as television and video games. The Trailsnet Trails to Fitness program will help to change this leading cause of childhood obesity by promoting more trail use by children and more trail sharing between children.
  2. Poor Diet – According to Childrens.org, a leading contributor to a higher caloric intake among children is excessive snacking. Often times children snack because they are bored or because of frequent exposure to unhealthy food and unhealthy food advertising. By getting children out on the trails and away from the television, they will be less likely to snack or be convinced that unhealthy food should be a part of their daily life.
  3. Genetic Factors – Genetic factors are rarely the cause of childhood obesity. In rare instances, some genetic disorders may lead to excessive weight gain, these are the exception rather than the rule. It is much more common for childhood obesity to stem from a lack of exercise and/or poor nutritional patterns.
  4. Environmental Factors – It is possible that a portion of the blame for childhood obesity could occur outside the influence of a child’s home. Lack of exercise and poor diet may also be reinforced in daycares, schools, community gathering areas and even the homes of friends & relatives. Once again, though, it is possible to channel our children towards more healthy gathering areas such as trails and other active pursuits.

The causes for childhood obesity are relatively limited and fairly specific. By focusing on promoting healthy activities while limiting unhealthy behaviors, we can end childhood obesity as we know it. Stay tuned as Trailsnet shares information about:

family enjoying a bike ride

Biking is for families… & everyone else.

  • Where is childhood obesity most prevelant?
  • Why is childhood obesity such a big problem?
  • What is being done to battle childhood obesity?
  • How can Trailsnet help to end childhood obesity?
  • What specific role will Trailsnet play in the war against childhood obesity?
  • Who will be recruited in Trailsnet’s Trails to Fitness program?

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/11/20/leading-causes-of-obesity/

Nov 18 2012

Trails to End Childhood Obesity

Trails to Fitness: Ending Childhood Obesity, One Trail at a Time

As promised, Trailsnet has positioned itself on the front lines of the battle against childhood obesity. In upcoming posts, you will discover:

  • What are the leading causes of childhood obesity?
    trail runners with dog

    fun on the trails

  • Where is childhood obesity most prevelant?
  • Why is childhood obesity such a big problem?
  • What is being done to battle childhood obesity?
  • How can Trailsnet help to end childhood obesity?
  • What specific role will Trailsnet play in the war against childhood obesity?
  • Who will be recruited in Trailsnet’s Trails to Fitness program?

 

Of course that is just the beginning. Trailsnet will continue adding Trails to Fitness topics and even asking for some of our trail contributors to add some blog posts about how Trailsnet and Trails to Fitness is helping end the terrible scourge of childhood obesity.

In addition to trail information, Trailsnet will also include information about healthy trail snacks, how to get the whole family out on trails, how communities can encourage trail fitness and more. So stay tuned and feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments below.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/11/18/trails-to-end-childhood-obesity/