Children's Health Group focuses on
fitness
The basis of the Presidential
Scholars Program is to work in an interdisciplinary fashion to
eliminate health disparities in the surrounding areas of Charleston.
The 2006 Presidential Scholars are looking at how new legislation
influences the elimination of disparities. The Children’s Health Group
focused on recent legislation at the state level that improved physical
fitness requirements in the school system by setting up exercise
guidelines and rules. This Presidential Scholars interdisciplinary
group developed a project with the belief that young, school-aged
children must become healthier, regardless of socio-economic status,
health status, or school. This is the third in a series of articles
highlighting the results of their work.As many people learn every January, it is hard to continue a regular exercise regimen when there isn’t a clear goal. Although knowing that regular exercise can help the heart, mind and soul along with lowering risks for such things as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension, people (and children especially) have a tough time incorporating regular exercise into weekly schedules.
College of Nursing
student Marco Villegas runs with the children during the Cooper River
Bridge Kid's Run March 31.In order to help these children start a good routine at a young age, and therefore lower the risk of many diseases, the Children’s Health Group worked with an inner-city elementary school in order to encourage exercise to a group that tends to be at a higher risk of disease factors. Training, education and encouragement was given to the children throughout the program. The program and group culminated with the running of the Cooper River Bridge Kid’s Run. The ultimate goal of continued exercise was encouraged throughout training and after the race.
With the help of Janis Newton, a physical trainer with the Harper Student Center, the group devised programming that was taught by the Presidential Scholars group, as well as Newton, on a bi-weekly basis during the children’s normal physical education time. The Presidential Scholars and Newton took time out of busy schedules to make a lasting impression on the children of the benefits of health education and exercise.
The Cooper River Bridge Kid’s Run, a mile long run for the children, was held March 31. With the scholar's encouragement and help, the children completed a specified training schedule to prepare for the run. The scholars also provided for funding for registration and transportation. The Children’s Health Presidential Scholars group’s goal is to add to the exceptional work of the Junior Doctors of Health group, which was initiated by the Presidential Scholars program in the past, to continue to encourage children to be healthy and make exercise a part of their daily life.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Catalyst Online is published weekly,
updated
as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public
Relations
for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of
South
Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at
792-4107
or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to
Catalyst
Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to
catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island
papers at 849-1778, ext. 201.