Need Michigan has the highest chronic disease rate and one of the highest incidences of heart disease in the nation. Why? Studies on more than 15,000 Michigan youth suggest that the seeds for these chronic diseases are planted in childhood: Thirty-three percent of Michigan girls and 34% of Michigan boys are considered overweight. The national average is only 25% Thirty-six percent of Michigan boys and 43% of Michigan girls have elevated cholesterol levels. These figures are respectively 11% and 18% higher than the U.S. average Eight percent of all children have high systolic blood pressure levels and 16% of African-American boys and 21% of African-American girls have high diastolic blood pressures. Only 5% should have high blood pressure readings. These numbers are this high because of the sedentary lifestyle of many Michigan youth. The average child: Gets less than 15 minutes of vigorous exercise a day. Drinks more than 20 ounces of soda pop a day. Spends more than 20% of her or his waking time watching television. Is less fit and more fat than children from the 1960s. These figures prove that Michigan youth must become more active! Mission The University of Michigan and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan team is dedicated to helping schools nourish young people physically, mentally and socially. There is a strong need for such a cooperative effort. America’s youth are at risk for poor fitness, school failure, crime, drug use and disconnection from society. They are at danger of not being prepared for productive citizenship and employment. Seven million youth (one in four) are extremely vulnerable. Another seven million are at moderate risk. None of our youth are immune. Physical activity, fitness, recreation and sport play vital roles in youth development and helping children at risk. Fitness for Youth builds on these strengths and contributes to a young person’s socialization process and physical stamina. Fitness for Youth also provides an outlet for emotions and opportunity for fun. It is a strong deterrent to antisocial behavior. Program Fitness for Youth teaches students about health-related concepts and provides them with several weekly periods of vigorous aerobic exercise. Throughout the program, young people are expected to: Set and achieve goals Delay gratification Take personal responsibility Assume self discipline Be a participant. With time, these qualities enhance a young person’s sense of self-worth, health, well-being and commitment to excellence. Fitness for Youth helps youth obtain these qualities many different ways. These include: Monthly parent letters School site visits Workshops for teachers Consultations Staff wellness programs Health-related fitness and motor skill tests Physical-activity-related knowledge, personal/social and behavior tests Curriculum ideas A noon walking program called the Feelin’ Good Mileage Club Public relation ideas Planning for fitness events Monthly teacher newsletters Interactive Web site Networking Parent/teacher meetings Energy breaks. Growth and Benefits Since beginning with 13 schools in 1983, Fitness for Youth has grown to almost 400 Michigan schools, serving tens of thousands of young people. Why this amazing growth? Because Fitness for Youth works! In fact, everyone benefits from the program. Students think it’s fun, teachers find it helpful and schools love how it documents the effectiveness of their physical education programs. The state as a whole appreciates the program because it promises to reduce health care costs in the future. Regular participation in Fitness for Youth may also: Enhance self-esteem Improve physical fitness levels Reduce disease risk factors (obesity, blood pressure, etc.) Reduce anxiety and depression Reduce learning disorders Provide an alternative to drug/alcohol use Enhance academic achievement Get parents excited about becoming physically fit. Effects of Fitness for Youth Program on Selected Fitness Measures of Children, Ages 6-10 Gender/Test N Pre-Test Post-Test Males 600-Yard Run (min:sec) 197 3:49 3:31 Mile Run (min:sec) 344 11:21 10:49 Curl-Up (number) 535 27.8 31.6 Pull-Up (number) 36 3.2 3.4 Push-Up (number) 488 6.5 8.9 Females 600-Yard Run (min:sec) 215 3:58 3:46 Mile Run (min:sec) 253 12:56 12:10 Curl-Up (number) 526 25.6 28.9 Pull-Up (number) 28 3.0 2.9 Push-Up (number) 493 3.5 5.3 History How did Fitness for Youth become the positive force it is today? Guy Reiff, Ph.D., created the program at the University of Michigan in 1983 in response to the declining physical fitness levels and increasing disease risk factors of Michigan youth. In 1985, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (the Blues), concerned about rising health care costs, declining youth fitness/health levels and eroding school physical education programs, decided to fund the program. Charles Kuntzleman, Ed.D, has directed the program since 1992. The University and the Blues believe fitness development is the most successful way to help young people grow and mature physically, mentally and socially. Because of this, both have viewed Fitness for Youth not only as a means of enhancing physical performance and health-related fitness, but also as way to improve young people’s self-esteem and self-discipline and increase their chances of becoming strong, self-sufficient adults. Future Fitness for Youth plans to continue shaping the lives of Michigan youth in the future. Innovative curricula, programs and motivational strategies are continually being developed. New opportunities to stimulate young people to be active and pursue healthy life styles are being considered as well. Future plans also include studying the relationship of youth fitness to academic achievement, absenteeism, drug/alcohol use, learning readiness, delinquent behaviors, anxiety and depression.