[clouds z]

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/mortarbo..._fat_kids.html

Never mind kicking a football around after school, writes Alexandra Smith snacking on something other than crisps and chocolate or turning off the TV. It seems researchers have a solution to the childhood obesity crisis- axe school chairs and make chubby kids stand.

A British expert on obesity, James Levine, a medical consultant at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, in the US, has been looking at the link between chairs and obesity.

A study published last year led by Dr Levine showed that thin people were on their feet an average of 152 more minutes a day than their chubby counterparts. Now he is taking his standing-room only theory to the classroom.

His researchers recently asked a class of volunteers aged between 10 and 12 from a nearby school to spend a week standing rather than sitting. The pupils spent five hours a day on their feet, a position that burns three times as many calories as sitting down.

Dr Levine said the idea was wel

First as a student and now as a lawyer, I've detested sitting at my desk hour after hour. It's bad for my posture, bad for my circulation, and I swear I can feel my muscles atrophy as the years go by. However, ever since Donald Rumsfeld's famous quote revealing that he, in fact, prefers to stand and work at a podium, I have felt emboldened to forget my colleagues opinions and ditch the chair and desk regime. I now stand and work at a draftsman's table and I can honestly say I have never felt better in my life. My posture has improved, I feel more alert, I am more productive, my back has stopped aching at the end of the day, and I have noticably better muscle tone in my legs, back, and abdomen. I keep a pair of flat shoes in my office to wear while I am working, and switch to less comfortable but more professional shoes when I have meetings with clients. I would encourage anyone to try it -
Posted by Bella on March 28, 2006 05:46 PM.
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[LIZARD]

I read the comments and am less than pleased with the attitudes of some of the people who posted. Make the heavy kids walk to school?? My son (who could probably lose about 5-10 pounds) goes to school 4 freakin' miles from home, and not by my choice. The temps here have been in the single digits in the morning. How would that not be child abuse?? (Not to mention the fact that it's a very dangerous walk for any kid, but especially one with autism. Lots of busy roads along the way.) Do these people live in Mayberry, or are they just out of their minds??


LIZARD

[bizi]

this is not very supportive ...i agree....
bizi

[Jomar]

Over half of the comments made on that article page are just posted by goofs- only a few had any serious thoughts and suggestions.

[snoozie]

I have mixed emotions because while I think that singling out the heavy kids to stand is wrong I do think that kids should be allowed to stand up to work if they want to. My son had a reading teacher last year who was so in tune with her kids. She tried different techniques with them such as letting them stand and read, giving them squishy balls to squeeze while working or she would just let them get up and move around if they felt they needed to. Now at first I thought she was in a world of trouble because the kids would take advantage of her, but instead many found that they worked so much better in her class than others. My son was one of those kids. He bagan to love reading again and really respected that teacher for being flexible enough to accomodate her kids. Many teachers do not want the kids to move, talk or get up for the 50 minutes they are in their class. So while I think making kids stand up is wrong, giving them the choice to stand is right. ...Sue

[clouds z]

where does it say theyre "singleing out"the fat ones?

yeah give then chairs while they wait in line at mcdonalds -thats humane

[clouds z]

His researchers recently asked a class of volunteers aged between 10 and 12 from a nearby school to spend a week standing rather than sitting. The pupils spent five hours a day on their feet, a position that burns three times as many calories as sitting down.

Dr Levine said the idea was welcomed by the students and there was no opposition. Rather than using conventional desks, they worked on white boards, laptops on moveable benches and vertical screens. Cushions were provided if a rest was needed.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/mortarbo..._fat_kids.html

wow the students liked it -sounds so dracodian

do you even read stuff here?
who said anything about making an autisic kid walk 4 miles?

[clouds z]

Originally Posted by bizi

this is not very supportive ...i agree....
bizi

and why is that!!bizi

[Curious]

clouds, the weight loss forum is set up for members to help each other lose weight. to offer support and advice. many of the members here have physical problems that limit the amount of exercise they can get. the same for the kids. i don't mean to speak for bizi, but i think that is what she meant.

i do agree that in many schools the kids don't get the exercise they need.

i can't see where making the kids walk to school or standing all day is the answer.

i do see where a difference is being made. in the school lunches. very healthy choices. PE or athletics is manadatory year round in most districts, not just 1 sememster.

but being active and eating healthy is not just up to the schools. it has to start at home. i think this thread is great place to share some ideas. what can we do to help the kids of our communities? i know what i do...but i am in a different situation. i own a health club. we have classes for kids. we lowered the age that kids can workout. (they have to go through instruction with a trainer first. )

[Jomar]

I think some here are just replying about certain parts of the article, and on some of the comments made below the article.