Are we Seniors in better physical condition than our youth? How can that be? And if so, what can we, as active Seniors, do to help?
According to an article in the June 2018 issue of Athletic Business Magazine, a trade publication for the Fitness Facilities industry, we are facing an “Epidemic of Inactivity”. While the article speaks for all ages, it emphasizes the epidemic as it relates to our youth and addresses what one organization, PHIT, Personal Health Investment Today, is trying to do about it.
When most of us who grew up in the 1950s, 1960s and even in the early 1970s were in Elementary School through High School, we had a comprehensive Physical Education curriculum. We did calisthenics, played on Jungle Gyms and Monkey Bars, as well as a lot of running an jumping. That was before the Insurance Industry became terrified of liability problems and schools eliminated many of the physical activities and downgraded many of the outdoor playgrounds in the name of “safety” (read that “fear of lawsuits”).
In the last decade, many of the outdoor programs have been brought back from the grave in recognition of the problem of youth inactivity, but not yet close to what they were.
Some of the statistics in the above article are downright scary. Here are some that are quoted directly from the article:
- Less than 25 percent of children in America are physically active three times a week. That’s even with all the youth sports programs available.
- Childhood fitness levels in the United States rank 47th out of 50 countries. I might toss in a caveat here: The article doesn’t say what countries were surveyed.
- 47 percent of high schools across the country have no physical education classes.
- Only 29 percent of youths meet the qualifications to join the military. Obesity is the leading reason. Wow! That’s scary.
So are we, the Senior generation in a position to help reverse this trend? While organizations like PHIT are doing what they can to promote fitness for all Americans across the board institutionally, those efforts are only beginning to take hold.
A friend of mine, Richard Keelor PhD, former Director of Program Development for the President’s Council of Physical Fitness and Sports, and current President of Health Designs International in McLean, Virginia has been working with educators, recreational professionals and business leaders to promote community efforts to encourage Health and Fitness in local communities. We have discussed the problem often and agree that the problem can be reversed. Dr. Keelor approaches it from an Institutional or Community level, and I approach it from an individual initiative. Both approaches are needed.
I believe that the best thing that we, as Active Seniors can do to promote Health and Fitness to our young people, is to be seen as role models for our youth – to become and remain active and fit throughout our lives. Why don’t we as seniors “show off” what we can do and what younger people are capable of becoming.
How?
By becoming what we talk about, being lean, fit and active seniors, engaging with the young folks and “talking up” the benefits of being lean, healthy and active. Let’s demonstrate to these youngsters the benefits and positive results of an active and healthy lifestyle. While we are improving with age, let’s help our younger boys and girls do the same.
Of course that means we have to practice what we preach. So, let’s get on with it.
Thank you for reading.