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CHILDREN AND OBESITY

** Percentage of U.S. children and adolescents who are overweight (2002):
20
** Percentage of U.S. teens 12 to 19 who are overweight:
16
** Percentage increase in that number from 1988 to 1994:
11
** Percentage of U.S. children 6 to 11 who are overweight:
15
** Percentage of U.S. children 2 to 5 who are overweight:
10
** Percentage of schools that offered soft drinks in vending machines in 2000:
76.3
** Percentage of schools that offered 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice in machines in 2000:
55.6
** Percentage of children who get the daily recommended number of servings of fruits, vegetables and grains:
2
** Percentage of high school students who are physically active for 20 minutes or more, five days a week, in PE classes:
19
** Drop in percentage of daily enrollment in PE classes among high school students from 1991 to 1995:
19, from 44 to 25
** Number of children who have cholesterol levels too high for good heart health (the optimum level is 170 or less):
1 in 3
** Percentage of fifth-, seventh- and ninth-graders who did not meet California?s physical fitness goals in 2001 testing:
75

Sources: Fifth Annual Report on Commercialism in the Schools, October 2002, by Arizona State University?s Commercialism in Education Research Unit; Centers for Disease Control; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Children?s Healthy Heart Center, N.Y. Presbyterian Hospital.

KATHLEEN'S JOURNAL

Part six and the last in a series, the following is an excerpt of the journal of Kathleen Horton, a woman with a typical list of many competing priorities: job, spouse, children and personal time among them.

With our journal series we bring you the challenges and accomplishments of an average woman: someone who, like all of us, balances a life full of work, play, friends, family and occasional struggle.

We hope you find inspiration in their daily endeavors, and perhaps decide to try something new and challenging yourself!

August 18 - Madeline started a two-week swimming program at UCSB. Besides improving her swimming skills, she tried out the high dive. I also got to swim during her lesson - very nice pool and nice workout.

September 1 - We spent the last day of summer at Haskell's Beach with four other families. Even though the warm weather didn't show up, we had our wetsuits on while enjoying the ocean.

Eric took out my surfboard, our nephew took out a surfboard for the first time, Tommy wanted to ride the boogie board, while Madeline never dried off the whole day. During the school year, we plan to meet on the third Sunday of every month.

September 2 - The school year has started, which means a new workout schedule for me - which right now is constantly in flux. At least we will walk to and from school two to three times a week, depending on how timely we are in the morning. It is a great way to start the day!

September 6 - Our family spent the day at a water park. Besides having a lot of fun, we had a good workout climbing stairs and walking in water.

September 10 - We are borrowing a large wagon. I get a great workout walking the kids to school while pulling the wagon. The kids are about 95 pounds combined while the wagon is probably 15 pounds. I huff and puff up the hill but it feels good. Now Madeline wants to pull the wagon. More power to her!

September 14 - After arranging logistics, we finally launched a kayak that Eric's uncle handmade. It's about 21 years old but in beautiful shape. Eric took it out while his brother accompanied him in his own kayak. Also, Madeline paddled out in her uncle's kayak. Now we are all hooked on some form of paddling!

September 20 - It's official - I am now a soccer mom. Since I know nothing about the game it's a good learning experience for me. Madeline is loving it, even practice. The coaches are two moms who obviously love seeing children playing soccer for the challenge and fun. We watched the UCSB women's soccer team play. I have so much respect for those hardworking women.

September 27 - Tommy and I enjoyed a great bike ride around the neighborhood and to the library. Even though we had a flat tire on the way home, Tommy was a trouper and now I have a flat tire repair kit and know how to use it!

October 1 - As of today there are five months remaining until I go to Mexico without family. Three other women and I are signed up for a women's surf camp for six days. Two will be turning 40 and want to celebrate it in surfing style, while I just needed to be asked to go along. Needless to say, I can hardly wait.

Kowabunga!

FITNESS AND FUN: A HOP, SKIP AND A JUMP AWAY!

What's an activity that you probably learned as a youngster, burns 86 calories in ten minutes, is inexpensive and helps your heart, your hand-eye coordination, and your sense of balance? Similar to other sports, it can reduce stress and build mental awareness. It's jump rope, and it's enjoying resurgence as a competitive sport, with national championships televised on ESPN.

The U.S.A. Jump Rope Federation is the organizing association behind the recent resurgence in competitive jump rope. They organize local, regional and national competitions and have published a rulebook. Teams and individuals compete. Age groups include under age 11, 12-14, 15-17, over 18 and over 30 (the senior division).

So, what do you do in a jump rope competition? There are a number of different events. Two events measure speed, or the number of jumps completed in a certain time period - thirty seconds or three minutes. Another event measures "triple unders," or the consecutive number of times a jumper can turn the rope under them three times without landing and without missing.

Freestyle events allow for more creativity, including routines designed to show off fancy footwork, even pushups and handsprings while the rope is turning. Team events include speed relays and Double Dutch events. The Double Dutch form of jump rope became competitive in the 1970s and 1980s with help from the American Double Dutch League. Double Dutch involves two people facing each other, turning two ropes. The rope in the left hand is turned clockwise and the rope in the right hand is turned counterclockwise. One or two jumpers dash into the ropes and jump.

If you decide to start jumping rope, here are a few pointers. Using a beaded rope is easiest in the beginning. If you step on the rope, the ends should reach your armpits. Don't overdo it on the first day - even though you might have seen boxers on TV or in the movies jumping incredibly fast, that could make you very sore the next day. Don't over exaggerate your arm movements at first; keep going in small circles, holding the handles near your waist. Most importantly, have fun!

There are many resources if you'd like to find out more about rope jumping either for health and fitness or for competition.
On the web, http://www.usajrf.org is the home page of the U.S. A. Jump Rope Federation. You will find rules for each event in competition and links to teams in your area.

Dr. Jump (real name Ken Solis) has a home page at http://www.drjump.com. You'll find information on his Ropics method of training, as well as books and videos and coaching tips.

The American Heart Association has information on the health benefits of jumping rope, as well as information on jump rope fundraisers at www.americanheart.org.

Videos on proper technique, exercise routines and competition may be available at your local library. One example is "FreeStyle Roping: The ultimate Jump Rope Workout" (1995) where Louis Garcia demonstrates beginner routines as well as strength and power moves. "Kids can JUMP!" (1997) demonstrates the moves of the Forbes Flyers Jump Rope Team in freestyle and Double Dutch events. The Ropics series by Dr. Jump also focuses on developing rope jumping skills.

Finally, many books cover the history of jump rope to skills and competition. A recent book "Double Dutch: A Celebration of Jump Rope, Rhyme and Sisterhood" by Veronica Chambers looks into the cultural aspects and history of the sport. Susan Kalbfleisch wrote "Jump!: The New Jump Rope Book" for children, but it shows many basic moves. For jingles to recreate the playground at recess in elementary school while you jump, there's "Red Hot Peppers: The Skookum Book of Jump Rope Games, Rhymes, and Fancy Footwork," by Bob Boardman.

Happy jumping!

By K.C. Hoffman.

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