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How are schools trying to change childhood obesity?

About 9,000,000 children are suffering from obesity in the United States.  Arkansas is attempting to address obesity issues among these school aged children.  Many schools are measuring the body mass index (BMI) of children.  Approximately 61% of school districts restricted junk food sales in school.  Serving healthy foods in community and school is a challenge because high-calorie fatty foods is so convenient.  California and other states are serving food with reduced trans fat on the menu.  Increased video gaming is also a contributing factor to childhood obesity.

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William Bronner, Ryan Tober, and Josh Bordeaux

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William Bronner, Ryan Tober, and Josh Bordeaux

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Is there a relationship between academics and physical fitness?

According to a study in Topeka, Kansas, there is a positive relationship between physical fitness and academic performance. They used five fitness tests in order to test physical fitness. If zero to one physical fitness test was passed, then only around fifty percent scored above standard on math and reading assessments. As more and more physical fitness tests were passed, the students academic performance steadily increased. When all five fitness tests were passed, around seventy to seventy- five percent of people scored above standard on the academic tests. These results show an extremely positive relationship related to physical fitness and academic success.

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Why do some ethnic groups have a higher obesity rate than others?

Besides just the simple biological fact that some race's bodies process fat differently, there are multiple reasons a certain race may have a higher obesity rate. Another reason being, in some parts of the worlds, a country's, or even the difference between the south and north of the united states, the culture can dramatically impact the obesity rate because of the types of food that that certain culture and race consumes. Also the poverty rate of certain race can effect the obesity because junk food, is less expensive than healthy food, which implies that a family with less money will want to get more food for less, even if its not healthy, it keeps their children fed.

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Kathryn Petrelli, Kaitlyn Decker, and Maura Maguire

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Kathryn Petrelli, Kaitlyn Decker, and Maura Maguire

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How do certain contact sports such as football have negative affects later in life?

The American Academy of Neurology conducted a study that proved contact sports, such as hockey or football decrease the learning ability of the athlete.

The repetition of concussions from these contacts sports can cause "severe cognitive deficits" because these injuries are accumulative. These injuries never fully heal, so as you get older the injury worsens. Contact sports put children at a higher risk to have negative affects later in life because they are injured when their brain is still developing.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516173721.htm

http://www.hiline.cfschools.org/2012/12/can-playing-high-school-sports-have-negative-effects/

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What age group has the highest rate of obesity?

1 in every 6 kids ages 6 to 19 are seen as obese.

Children who don't engage in physical activity has a greater risk of being over weight.

Infants who are given solid foods to early such as 4 months of age have high risk of obesity at age 3

Children 12-19 have the highest obesity rate

Males have a higher obesity rate ages 2-19

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Why is PE important?

One reason PE is important is because habits are developed at an early age. It teaches kids that it is important to be active. PE also teaches kids about the human body. Another reason PE is important is because it helps develop social skills. Last of all, PE helps kids get their thirty minutes of physical activity a day.

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What country has the highest obesity rate in the world?

The most obese country in the world is the Republic of Nauru.  The percent of people obese in the Republic of Nauru is 78.5%. The population is 9,300. They also have the highest levels of Type 2 Diabetes. The Republic of Nauru is formally known as Pleasant Island, and is located in the South Pacific. The American Samoa, another South Pacific Island, follows close behind with a 74.6% obesity rate. The South Pacific Island diet consist of mainly rice and processed meat.

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Can a statistically obese person still be healthy?

Yes, it is possible to be statistically obese and healthy. Being obese means you have a body mass index over 30. this calculation is made by highth and weight but does not account for muscle on the body. It is better to not be obese because you are more likely to get a metabolic illness( heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure). You can be healthy and obese, but you have a higher chance of becoming unhealthy because of the extra weight.

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Who invented the treadmill, and why?

Originally, the treadmill was designed in England as a form of punishment for criminals. Their movement turned a large wheel, crushing grain, hence the word, "treadmill." The modern machine was created in 1968 by William Staub. He learned from Dr. Kenneth Cooper that running regularly could make someone more fit, so he built a machine where anyone could run anytime. The PaceMaster 600, as he called it, had 40 rollers covered by an orange belt, and was controlled by orange dials. This revolutionary device has helped people get, "No place quickly" (Gerald Staub) through today.

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Where did PE originate?

PE was first recorded in Ancient Greece. PE was first written about by Plato in his book "The Republic". The book was written in 380 B.C. The main goal of physical education was to increase functional strength and create a healthy body. He described the importance of balancing physical training and music. With too much physical activity, a person will become too savage, and with too much music, the person will become too soft and weak.

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Who was the first P.E. teacher ever?

Based on our research we found that the oldest school to have Physical Education as a curriculum, was the Toronto Normal School. Before 1880, the first P.E. teacher at the school was Colonel Henry Goodwin. He was a former drill instructor. He did exercises with teachers who were enrolled at the school. The only physical activity was military drill training.