Vigorous Exercise
| Most
recent CO value (2005) |
CO
rank (2005) |
CO
value (2005) |
Best
state (2005) |
Best
state value (2005) |
HP
2010 target |
70.1% |
4/39
= 5/50 |
70.1% |
New
Hampshire |
72.1% |
85% |
Indicator Definition
Percent of high school students who participated
in at least 20 minutes of physical activity vigorous enough to
make them sweat and breathe hard, on three or more of the past
seven days.
| High
school students who participated in vigorous
physical activity at least three days in
the past week in Colorado5 |
 |
|
 |
| High
school students who participated in vigorous
physical activity at least three days in
the past week by sex and race in Colorado6 |
 |
|
Indicator Significance
The adolescent years are characterized as a
time of seeking greater personal autonomy and
choice and therefore lifestyle decisions made during adolescence
will likely affect present, as well as future health status. Patterns
of activity change during the teen years, with environmental and
social factors often encouraging inactivity. They go from the
active play of childhood to more sedentary activities that involve
talking or “hanging out.” Television,
computers and video games increasingly serve
as primary recreational outlets for teens. Prolonged periods of
inactivity can lead to overweight and obesity, which in turn increase
the risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes.1
Colorado Specifics
Colorado high school students fare well in
comparison to students in other states with regard to reported levels
of physical activity, ranking fourth among 39 states. The most recent
data show that 70 percent of high school students report engaging
in vigorous physical activity on three or more days over the past
week, a rate that has changed little since first measured in 2001.
Mirroring national trends, minority youth and girls in Colorado
are somewhat less likely to engage in vigorous physical activity
than other groups.2
Promising Initiatives
In Colorado
A recent report from the Colorado Children’s Campaign notes
that Colorado does not require physical education teachers to be
certified nor are statewide data available on how many Colorado
schools offer physical education programs. The report notes that “schools
have felt pressure to focus on academic accountability, which has
led to the elimination of ‘nonessential’ areas of study
including nutrition and physical education even though evidence
suggests that the cognitive benefits of physical activity during
the school day compensates for time not spent on other academic
areas.” Citing a parent survey that indicates strong support
for physical education requirements in schools,
the report recommends that the state collect information on physical
education programs in Colorado schools.3
Elsewhere
“5 – 2 – 1 Go!” is the message of a Massachusetts
initiative to get at-risk adolescents moving more and eating better
to improve their overall health. By promoting the consumption of
five or more fruits and vegetables each day, limiting television
to two hours a day, and adding one hour of physical exercise, the
state hopes to lower the growing number of overweight teens in Massachusetts.
Using the Planet Health curriculum developed by the Harvard School
of Public Health, the initiative has brought teachers, parents and
community members together to develop a health improvement plan.
The program has been so successful, it was adopted by Blue Cross
and Blue Shield of Massachusetts in the creation of after-school
programs.4
High school students
who participated in vigorous physical activity at least three days
in the past week by sex and race in Colorado7
Text
- Shona L. Bass,
Ph.D., Michael L. Booth, Ph.D., Louise
L. Hardy, Ph.D. “Changes in
Sedentary Behavior among Adolescent Girls:
A 2.5-Year Prospective Case Study.” Journal
of Adolescent Health 40 (2007): 158 – 165.
“Improving
the Health of Adolescents and Young Adults:
A Guide for States and Communities,” U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services
- Making
the Connection Between Health and Learning,
Colorado Department of Education
- “Childhood Obesity in Colorado: A Growing
Problem,” Colorado Children’s
Campaign
- Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
Charts
- Source: Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment,
Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2001 – 2005
- Source: Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment,
Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2005
- Source: National
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion, Healthy Youth, 2005,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
|
