P.O. Box 621018
San Diego, CA 92162
ph: (619) 980-9552
KWright
News and Statistics
KIDS NEED STRETCH-N-GROW
Here's What Experts Say:
- Obesity has doubled among children over the past 20 years. The rapid rise is due to decreased physical activity and increased sedentary activities such as watching television and playing computer and video games. (National Association of Sports and Physical Education, 2002; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2000, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2001)
- 40% of twelve-year-old children display heart disease risk factors (i.e., obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and inactivity). Physical inactivity is a major contributor to these conditions at all ages. (American Heart Association., 1996, 2002)
- Children involved in regular exercise earn better grades and have better social skills than those who are not. Studies show that children who score well on standardized tests also have more favorable body composition and cholesterol levels. (American Journal of Medical Science; American Psychological Assn.)
- For the first time in 100 years, children have a shorter life expectancy than their parents due to the epidemic of obesity. (Baylor College of Medicine, 2002)
- Health and sports authorities recommend that toddlers accumulate at least 30 minutes daily of structured physical activity, and preschoolers at least 60 minutes, along with up to several hours of unstructured physical activity. Stretch-n-Grow helps parents and child care providers meet those standards. (National Association of Sports & Physical Education, 2002)
• Spring has sprung in San Diego! Enjoy this beautiful weather, while we still have a nice cool breeze. One thing we like to do as a family is explore the beautiful hikes that San Diego has to offer. Here is a great starter hike. The view is amazing, but we’d recommend avoiding it during peak hours on the weekend, it can get crowded! For more hikes in the area check out:
http://www.localhikes.com/MSA/MSA_7320.asp
Torrey Pines - Guy Fleming Trail
Highlights: Rare Torrey Pines, Coastal Scrublands and flowers, coastal vista
Near: La Jolla, CA
Scenery:
Distance: 0.75 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 100 ft
Hike Time: 0.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Condition: Well maintained trail
HikeType: Loop
Summary: An easy, but wonderful hike. There is a coastal overlook where you can watch beach-goers enjoying the fun and sun. You can walk among the rarest pine tree in North America - the Torrey Pine, see beautiful coastal flowers, shrubs and fauna, and even your children will enjoy the walk.
The trail is billed as the easiest in the park, but even when busy, it still seems relatively secluded.
Torrey Pines is a place not to be missed - take the whole family, even grandpa will like this one. Trailhead: The Park is pretty easy to get to - there are numerous ways and they are all signed Torrey Pines State Reserve. Follow the signs to the entrance gate , pay the six dollar entry fee and drive to the visitor center.
Pedestrian traffic is free
• From the 5 you can take three exits, but an easy way is to take the Genesee exit traveling West toward the ocean. Make a right onto Torrey Pines Road - you will drive past the golf course and when you see the slough and wetlands to your right, you will need to turn left into the Torrey Pines State Beach and Reserve Area. You can park here, but the ranger station is at the top with a very nice visitor center, and lots of trails to explore.
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We’ve been talking about healthy food choices in our classes this month. Take a look at the food chart we sent home with your child! Here is a great article from keepkidshealthy.com about the difference between refined white and whole wheat or whole grain (even better!) bread:
White vs. Wheat Bread
Most kids, even those who are picky eaters, like bread. And that's good, because bread, and grains in general, make up a big part of the Food Guide Pyramid. In fact, younger children, aged 2-6, should eat 6 servings from the grain food group, while older children should eat 6-11 servings each day.
But what kind of bread should you offer your child? There are so many choices, including white bread, wheat bread, honey wheat bread, etc.
For many kids, taste will be the determining factor of what bread they will eat.
After that, you should look at the nutritional values of different breads when you decide which bread to buy for your family. Although many things are similar for different types of bread, such as:
* Calories - usually about 40-70 calories per slice
* Total Fat - 0.5-1g
* Cholesterol - 0mg
* Sodium - 90-130mg
* Protein - 1.5-3g
* Iron - 4-8%
There can be big differences in the amount of fiber and calcium that different breads have. And whole wheat breads usually have more vitamin B6, vitamin E, magnesium, folic acid, copper, zinc, and manganese. However, many white breads are fortified with these vitamins.
In general, 100% whole wheat/whole grain breads have more fiber than white bread or other breads made with wheat flour, although some white breads, such as Iron Kids and Iron Kids Crustless bread, have almost as much fiber as many kinds of wheat bread.
A high fiber diet is recommended for most people, and is especially helpful for children who are constipated.
Remember that 'wheat' breads that do not say that they are 'whole wheat' are a mixture of enriched white flour and whole wheat flour, and so will likely have less fiber than whole wheat breads. 'Whole wheat' will be listed as the first ingredient if the bread is made from 100% whole wheat.
But white breads often have more calcium, especially if they are made with milk, than wheat breads. However, many different kinds of wheat bread are now fortified with calcium too.
Bread as an extra source of calcium is good if your child doesn't drink much milk or eat other dairy products.
So what kind of bread should you choose?
Whether it is white bread or wheat bread, find one that is high in calcium (at least 10-15% per slice), high in fiber (at least 1-1.5g per slice), and which tastes good.
The American Academy of Pediatrics does state that 'whole-wheat bread offers a nutritional advantage over white bread.' So if your child likes it, a 100% whole wheat bread (remember to check the ingredients) that is fortified with calcium would likely be the most healthy choice.
Reading the nutrition label can help you find a healthy bread. Just be careful when comparing labels that you check the serving size. Some breads list 2 slices as the serving size, while others list just 1. Since the amount of calcium and fiber is listed per serving size, 2g of fiber may be for 2 slices or just 1.
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PEANUT BUTTER PINWHEELS
on a fresh flour (or whole wheat!) tortilla.
Sprinkle with granola, roll up the tortilla,
then slice it into bite-size pinwheels.
Regular Physical Activity Helps Teens Maintain Healthy Weight into Adulthood, Study Finds
Jan 8, 2008
A study in this month's Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine suggests that adolescents who engage in physical activity at least twice weekly are less likely than their non-active peers to become overweight in early adulthood, Reuters reports. To assess the relationship between activity level and weight gain, Johns Hopkins University researchers evaluated the self-reported activity habits of over 3,000 adolescents in grades eight through 12 during school and after-school hours. Researchers also measured participants' body mass indices in 1996 at the start of the study and five years later. Across the study period, the prevalence of overweight participants rose from 28 percent to 51 percent. Roughly 36 percent of participants who were considered normal weight as adolescents became overweight in young adulthood. Only 11 percent of students considered overweight at the start of the study reached a healthy weight by the time it was over. Among all participants, the likelihood of becoming an overweight adult fell by 48 percent with participation in "wheel-related" activities such as cycling and roller skating more than four times weekly. Participation in school-based sports programs such as baseball and swimming three to four times per week was associated with a 20 percent decrease in the risk of overweight in early adulthood. This risk further decreased by 5 percent for every day an adolescent participated in school P.E. classes, and daily participation was associated with a 28 percent reduction in the likelihood of becoming overweight in young adulthood. However, noting that the protective effect of regular physical activity was strongest in adolescents who began the study at a normal weight, the researchers suggest that physical activity may be a better strategy for weight maintenance than for weight loss and emphasize the importance of preventing obesity from the outset (Rauscher, Reuters/Yahoo! News, 1/7/08; Menschik et al., Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, January 2008 [subscription required]).
Kristen and Rosko Wright
Owners and Directors
Stretch-n-Grow of San Diego
(619) 980-9552
KWright@Stretch-n-Grow.com
If you're interested in finding out more about Stretch-n-Grow or signing up for an existing class call us!
Do you think that Stretch-n-Grow would be a good fit for your playgroup, childcare center, preschool, elementary school or birthday party? So do we!
Are you just curious to hear more about us? We look forward to hearing from you.
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P.O. Box 621018
San Diego, CA 92162
ph: (619) 980-9552
KWright
