January/February 1998 All Pepsi commercialism aside, is Generation F next?
America's young people are getting fatter. According to studies cited in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, 22 percent of U.S. teens are overweight, up from 15 percent less than 30 years ago. About12 percent are so overweight that their health is in jeopardy.
The U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health (1996) found 60 percent of all Americans are not regularly physically active. Illinois ranked 34th among states when activity levels were measured, making ours one of the more inactive states.
Enough gloomy statistics already!
In parks and recreation, we are aware of this challenge and doing our part to promote healthier lifestyles.
Schaumburg and Geneseo park districts, for example, received Fitness City Awards for their community-wide fitness/wellness programs and facilities (see page 23).
The staff at Elk Grove Park District's Pavilion Fitness Centre make it their daily mission to create lifetime club members (p. 29).
And a statewide coalition of physical activity and wellness organizations (including IAPD and IPRA) is working toward the goal of increasing the number of Illinois residents who are physically active by 10 percent by the year 2007 (p. 27).
Gone are the days of "no pain, no gain." Trend Watch (p.34) reports that we've entered the Wellness Era with an emphasis on overall well-being and activities that fit the pace of our lives.
My new year well-wish for you is borrowed from writer/humorist Garrison Keillor: "Be well, do good work and stay in touch."
|
New In This Issue We've added a new department to Illinois Parks & Recreation called "Eye on the Profession," authored by Kay Kastel Forest, CAE, executive director of IPRA. Check out page 8 for a closer look at the park and recreation profession. |
4 / Illinois Parks and Recreation