Desert Schools And Mayors Commit To Getting Fit
INDIO – Students playing basketball at Shadow Hills High School are doing exactly what Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants them to be doing: physical exercise.
They are fulfilling his fitness challenge in fighting childhood obesity.
Jake Steinfeld,Chairman of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, said atThursday’s kick-off event thathe recently read a study that said the current generation of kids may not outlive their parents.
So, beginning Jan. 4 and ending May 31, students and communities promise to be active at least three days a week for 30-60 minutes each time.
Steinfeld says exercising will improve body image and self-esteem.
“When you’re exercising, you want toeat better, right? And when you’re eating better, it’s an upward spiral,” he explained. “You feel better about yourself. You’re standing a little bit more straighter. You’re looking in the mirror. You want tobuy those nice clothes.”
Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Finerty is up for the challenge. She announced that residents can join her in outdoor activities, like hiking or biking, starting next month.
As part of the fitness challenge, schools are competing for $100,000 of athletic equipment.
Bobby Duke Middle School in Coachella won the grand prize last year.
Coachella Mayor Eduardo Garcia is proud of the win. “Latino communities are more prone to diabetes…to childhood obesity. So, we want to make sure there’s a balance to that. That doesn’t mean we can’t eat our favorite foods. It means we need to be more physically active.”
Shadow Hills High School athletic instructor Rae Miller supports the fitness challenge. She says physical education classes have evolved over the years. Theyare no longer focused on sports.
“It used to be about playing football, basketball. We make that a small element of it now. We integrate a lot of fitness days, circuit training, cardiovascular,” she explained.
When the govenor’sfitness challenge began in 2006, 10,000 kids signed up. This year, 23,000 kids participated. Next year — the governor is aiming for 1,000,000 participants.
Hitting the courts are just as vital as hitting the books.
