​       Samantha L. Calvin, MS, MBA

Overview:
Teachers are pressed for time.  They are forced to get more material in during the school day, achieve higher standardized testing scores, and are pressured from parents and administrators alike to perform better.  In addition, school budgets are being drastically cut with specific cuts being made to physical education, extra curricular activities, recess, music, art, and the list continues.  Because of the increased demand in the classroom and increased cuts of physically active segments of the day, children are moving less and sitting more.  A more sedentary life then leads to weight gain and increased level of chronic diseases, even at a young age.  When this happens, it does not just affect the health of the child, it also affects healthcare costs, the workforce as the children grow up, and the overall health of families and communities as a whole. Introducing low-intensity physical activity specific for age and academic level into the existing curriculum is a cost-effective, time-effective way to increase activity and combat the early onset of chronic illness.



Background:
Obesity rates in the United States have dramatically increased in the last twenty years. From 1980 to 2000 obesity rates doubled, reaching 60 million adults or 30% by 2000 (CDC).  In 2011, 35.7% of adults in the United States were deemed obese (CDC). Now, obesity rates in the United States are at an all-time high and by the year 2030, over 86% of adults are predicted to be overweight or obese (Obesity Epidemic). Many are quick to say that obesity is increasing because we have simply abused the energy balance; more calories taken in then expended.  However, the issue of obesity is much more complex than a simple equation.  Our culture has changed to make gaining weight not only available, but also easily attainable.  Something that is up for debate (and debated regularly by media and healthcare professionals) is the why behind obesity.  We can debate the why behind this damaging illness, but in order to start reversing the effects, we need to begin to think prevention



Outcome:
The outcomes are still on going and this project will proceed into next year.  So far, we have seen an increase in activity levels and a huge impact on the family life.  One father told me recently, "I want to shake your hand - that device that you sent home with my daughter has changed not only her life but the way our entire family lives theirs."  It is results like these that we keep doing what we do.