Beth Anne Piehl
Special Sections Writer

JEREMY KUHN/NEWS-REVIEW

Even in fifth-grade, local students are learning how to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

“I think they’re all interested in the program,” said Tanya Janes, education specialist with the Community Health Education Center at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital, who leads health programs in area schools.

“When I first started off, I used to think that I had to give them incentives to pay attention to me. But they all know someone in their lives who has suffered from something (related to heart health). They have a relative or friend of the family, someone they know first-hand who has had a heart attack or stroke. They’re really keyed in and interested in knowing about it.”

Janes works to get healthful messages out to area second- and fifth-graders at schools’ invitations. Topics include sun safety, anti-tobacco messages and heart attack and stroke prevention, where students learn how to “reduce, recognize and respond.”
“They learn how to reduce their own risk, such as eating healthy, getting physical activity, controlling their blood pressure, not smoking — those types of things,” said Janes.

And it’s never too early to start. It is well-reported that America’s children are increasingly overweight, a growing epidemic in this country that is leading to diabetes, heart disease and more.

“I don’t put the blame on the kids. Our environment has changed,” said Janes. “Kids can’t walk to school anymore. They’re on the bus for over an hour, parents are working. A lot of things have changed.”

And instead of focusing on the negative messages, Janes concentrates on improving the statistics for local children through her programs in the classroom.

“The overall message that I like to get across is that healthy kids come in all shapes and sizes. You can be very healthy and you may not be what you see on a magazine cover, especially for young girls,” she said.

“You want to make sure you know you’re doing what’s right.”
 
So, what is right?

At least 60 minutes a day of physical activity is imperative to keeping kids healthy, according to recommendations by the American Heart Association. Janes said that doesn’t mean running a marathon; activities such as walking, dancing, “just getting outside and playing” counts toward the hour.

Five servings combined of fruits and vegetables are also important, along with healthy grains, low-fat milk for bone development and learning to make the right choices away from home.

Schools are also taking a more active role in kids’ nutrition, said Janes, who also serves on the Michigan Action for Healthy Kids initiative. As the north’s regional leader, she works with school staff to assess the food choices they’re offering to students, then providing them with ideas in how to improve, such as eliminating vending machines or replacing the contents with water instead of pop, fruit instead of candy.

“One of our main goals is trying to get schools to have the environment reflect what they’re teaching,” Janes said.

Kids deserve more credit for healthy choices than adults may think, she added, citing studies that showed children choosing carrots and ranch dip over a candy bar in a school vending machine.

“I do give kids credit, and I think we do have to give the schools some credit for what they’re trying to do, too,” said Janes.
Parents need to step up and initiate healthfulness at home as well.

“I encourage parents to be involved in this process with the schools,” she said. “Their opinions matter. Sometimes, all it takes is one parent mentioning something to an administrator.”

Plus, kids are watching what their parents eat at home. “Set an example,” she emphasized. “Parents are a role model for their kids. Kids look up to their parents and you have to walk the walk with them. You can’t expect your kids to do things you’re not doing yourself.”

Helping your child lose weight

If your child is already overweight, simple changes to diet and lifestyle can help reverse the trend and set him or her on a healthier path.

The Web site, www.keepkidshealthy.com, offers ideas for helping a child lose weight:

— Keep in mind that a pound is equal to about 3,500 calories. So, if your child is gaining a pound a week, he needs to cut back his diet by about 500 calories a day. The change might be as simple as changing to non-fat milk, diet soda or a more healthy after-school snack.

— If your overweight teen is gaining 10-15 pounds a year, which would be equal to about 100-150 calories a day, eliminate a can of non-diet soda a day to get started.

— Consider the extra calories in the things your child is drinking, how many snacks she eats, size of portions; after a week or so, you should be able to determine the source(s) of extra calories.

— Burning calories is the key. Young children should be able to burn 50-100 calories a day in 30-60 minutes of regular activities like walking, inline skating, bike riding, or playing baseball, basketball or soccer.