Daily Herald - American Heart Month

More than 250 kindergarten through fifth-grade students at Lombard's Park View Elementary School will tap into a variety of "Go Healthy" challenges this spring as they demonstrate their commitment to creating a healthier future.

As one of four Chicagoland elementary schools selected for special training and program support, the school and its students will follow the American Heart Association's Hugo Kids Club protocols designed to engage youngsters as they step up to create healthier schools and lifestyles.

"We're delighted to be a part of this special movement to create a healthier generation," says Debra Surdam, Park View physical education teacher. "Improving physical fitness is an intrinsic part of our school's mission. Our physical development goal is to improve cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility."

The school's commitment, she says, is based on dire warnings echoed by cardiac experts across the country and recent Centers for Disease Control statistics pointing to 16 percent of the nation's children being overweight. American Heart Association experts say rates for obesity and overweight, leading risk factors for heart disease, have risen dramatically over the last 10 years — nearly doubling and labeling one-third of children in the U.S. overweight.

The American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation joined forces to form the Alliance for a Healthier Generation in 2005 to combat the spread of childhood obesity and the serious diseases associated with it such as heart disease and diabetes.

The Alliance launched its Healthy Schools program in February of 2006 taking a comprehensive approach by supporting schools seeking to improve the nutrition of the foods sold in schools; to provide high quality physical and health education programs; to offer after-school programs that incorporate physical activity; and to establish staff wellness programs.

"With more than 25 million overweight kids in the United States, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation has teamed up with Nickelodeon to create the Let's Just Play Go Healthy Challenge to help kids take charge of their own health," Surdam explains. "We share a similar mission and vision."

To make a difference in communities across the country, and to reach at-risk kids, the Alliance is working with an array of schools, elected officials and community-based organizations to get active and a become a Go Healthy champions. The goal is to engage at least two million kids to take the Go Healthy Pledge to eat better and exercise more.

Park View School has a long history of partnering with the American Heart Association in their quest to improve cardiovascular health and physical fitness, Surdam says. In addition to participating in their Jump Rope For Heart fundraising program, the school was honored with a 2004 Heart Healthy School award.

"We stand out for valuing fitness," notes Surdam, who says third-, fourth- and fifth-grade Hugo class leaders were selected and trained in early December. "Since that time, the students have spent their recess breaks and various opportunities throughout the day sharing messages about the importance of being healthy, the problems of childhood obesity and encouraging classmates to try the Go Healthy challenge."

At the Hugo Kids Club Web site, participants are encouraged to make a difference at home, school and in their community by tracking their nutritional habits, learning to create heart healthy snacks, recognizing food and nutrition values, creating Go Healthy exercise trails and programs, and sharing tips and successes with others. The site stays true to its message by timing out after 30 minutes and encouraging kids to go outside and play.

Special school announcements, posters, bulletin board fact sheets and other resources are available as children challenge their schools and themselves.