A recent study conducted on the health and fitness levels of school-age children revealed that our children are in serious danger. The study concluded that 25% of school-age children are overweight and 50% are not getting enough exercise to promote cardiovascular endurance. In one study done in California with 5th-9th graders, over 40% were reported to be physically unfit and over 25% of the million plus children sampled were deemed obese. Of these children, it’s reported that 70% of them will become obese adults.

Further studies show that in a standard physical education program, children are active only six to eight minutes; some schools limit gym class to two times a week whereas others have removed them from the curriculum entirely. And, according to a recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, teenage obesity is climbing, mirroring the increase in overweight adults. Kids snack larger amounts than they used to, and eat more meals away from home. Teaching good nutritional habits will only get harder, as junk food commercials get slicker and more fast food restaurants offer promotional merchandise and invade school cafeterias.

There are more reported cases of heart disease, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, bone and joint disease in young children then ever. Studies have concluded that 50% of asthma diagnosis could be prevented if children were in “better shape.” Poor nutrition and a lack of daily exercise have been the leading causes of the rise in health problems and the decrease in academic achievement amongst children. In addition, these children will be more likely to develop emotional and psychological problems that will manifest themselves throughout the rest of their lives.

In order to stop these trends we must take more responsibility for our children's health – it is the future of our nation. No drug or fad diet can replace exercise and general health fitness education for maintaining a physically and mentally healthy lifestyle. Children should be introduced to a healthy lifestyle early on in their lives to promote a healthy adult lifestyle. That is why Michael Torchia developed a comprehensive fitness and nutritional education program for boys and girls of all ages called OPERATION FITNESS™.

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