International Walk to School Month

Kids Need to MOVE!

A recent study by Cornell University found that in the typical high school gym class students are only active for an average of just 16 minutes, far less than the 45 minutes a day that  has been long recommended by the National Association of Sport and Physical Education.  A brisk walk to school could aide tremendously in helping students to get the recommended amount of daily exercise. 

Each October, millions of children, parents, teachers, and  community leaders across the globe walk to school to celebrate

International Walk to School Day. This year communities can  choose to celebrate for a day (October 4 – International Walk to School Day), a week (October 2-6 – International Walk  to School Week), or the entire month of October with the first-ever International Walk to School Month.

Sponsored by  the US Department of Transportation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Partnership for a Walkable America (a national coalition working to improve the conditions for walking in American and to increase the number of Americans who walk regularly), Walk to School Day was established in the U.S. in 1997 with the purpose of promoting health, safety, physical activity and concern for the environment.  In 2000, the United States partnered with Canada and the United Kingdom to create International Walk to School Day.  In 2003, the event was expanded to International Walk to School Week, offering schools around the world the opportunity to increase their efforts, such as incorporating safety programs into classroom curriculum and hosting safety-themed events.

Kids need to move

Obesity rates among children in the United States have more than tripled in the past twenty years, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.  These increasing rates raise concern because of their implications for Americans’ long term health. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including the following:

Physical activity recommendations suggest that children need a variety of activities each day-some intense, some less-so, some informal, some structured. Walking or cycling to and from school is an ideal way to get some of that activity at no extra cost to the child or family.

 “Walking is just about the best health bargain around. It's fun, easy to do, and it’s  free,” said California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) President Dr. Ernest J. Hook, a podiatrist in private practice in Folsom, CA.  “Walking is a great way for adults and kids to be active, and research supports the long-standing belief that taking just a few extra steps a day can improve the lives of all Americans.

”Lack of physical activity is a major cause of chronic illness and death for our country’s adults.  In fact, the cost of our not walking as a nation--and living a sedentary lifestyle--is staggering.  Being overweight can cause health problems like diabetes during childhood and research shows that physically inactive kids are more likely to grow up to be physically inactive adults – and are therefore at high risk for obesity and related illnesses.  Obesity and poor physical fitness are rapidly catching up to smoking as the leading causes of preventable death in the United States.

“There are plenty of great reasons to walk to school – less traffic, cleaner air – but one of the best is that children and parents will be healthier.  With obesity rates skyrocketing and only one-quarter of American's are currently getting the Surgeon General's recommended daily dose of exercise (just 30 to 45 minutes), it's an ideal time to encourage children to walk to school for their own health and well-being.”

How to Participate:   Students are encouraged to walk for all or part of their way to school. If a student’s commute is too long or not pedestrian friendly they are encouraged to take a walk after lunch.

The Goal:  Add Healthy Steps to Your Day:  Walking for 30-60 minutes a day greatly reduces your risk of developing, and, or dying from heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. By finding a way to make walking part of each day, like walking to school, you are giving yourself proven health benefits

Shoes:

Walking shoes should be comfortable for walking for 30 -60 minutes at a stretch.

“Care should be taken when purchasing shoes, especially children’s shoes ,” said Dr. Hook.  The California Podiatric Medical Association offers the following tips for buying shoes for children.

• Ask if the assistant is a trained shoe fitter.
• Buy shoes in the afternoon.  Feet tend to expand throughout the day.
• Examine the shoe itself. It should have a firm heel counter (stiff material on either side of the heel), adequate cushioning of the insole, and a built-in arch. It should be flexible enough to bend where the foot bends—at the ball of the foot, not in the middle of the shoe.
• The child’s foot should be sized while he or she is standing up and fully weight-bearing.
• Always have both feet measured for length, and if they are two different sizes, shoes should be chosen that fit the larger foot best.
• A newly fitted shoe should be approximately ½ inch longer than the longest toe.  The child should be able to comfortably wiggle his or her toes in the shoe.
• Have the child walk around the store for more than just a few minutes wearing the shoe with a normal sock. Ask the child if he or she feels any pressure spots in the shoe.   Feel the inside of the shoe for any staples or irregularities in the glue that could cause irritation. Examine where the inside stitching hits the foot. Look for signs of irritation on the foot after the shoe is worn.
• Avoid slip-on shoes. Shoes should be held on the foot with laces, straps or Velcro fastenings.
• Heel height should be no more than 1.5 inches.  Lower for younger children.
• The heel should have a broad base and be made from a shock-absorbing material.
• Natural material uppers are best i.e. leather
• The toe area of the shoe should be foot-shaped, and also deep enough to allow the toes to move freely and not be squashed.
• Always buy for the larger foot; feet are seldom precisely the same size
• Try on shoes while you’re wearing the same type of socks or stockings the child will wear with the shoes.
• If your child wears prescription orthotics - biomechanical inserts prescribed by a podiatric physician—you should take them along to shoe fittings.

Use a Pedometer:  To promote weight loss and prevent weight gain use a pedometer:  Studies have shown pedometers to be great motivators for both adults and children alike for logging steps. Experts say if we all added 2000 more steps to our day, we wouldn't gain another pound.

”Our aim is to have all Americans incorporate walking into their lives by making it a pleasure, not a chore. A walk can be an invigorating way to start the school or work day,” Dr. Hook concluded.

The California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) is the state’s leading professional medical organization for foot and ankle specialists and represents more than 1000 California doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs). Since 1912 CPMA has served the people of California by promoting the science and art of podiatric medicine, protecting the public health, and elevating the standards of medical education.

CPMA; Committed to keeping Californians on their Feet – Healthy, Active and Productive!