Every year school nurses in Gordon County Schools check hearing, vision, and dental in the third grade as mandated by the public health department.

I have obtained information regarding our children's height and weight and can prove with data that our children's obesity weight is increasing yearly.

The children have their BMI (Body Mass Index) measured. This tells the amount of body fat based on height and weight. The national obesity weight average is 20%, the class of 2005 is now at 30% BMI with an additional risk group of 12% who have a BMI of 90% and above. These statistics schow that 42% of our third grade class is now overweight and obese.

The Surgeon General has declared obesity a national epedimic. The percent of young people who are overweight has almost doubled in the last 20 years. Being overweight or obese raises the risk factors for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gall bladder disease, arthritis, sleep disturbances, breathing problems, and certain types of cancer. Sixty percent of 5-10 year old obese children have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and 25% of obese children have two or more risk factors.

Sedentary behavior is a large contributing factor to the increase in obesity. Regular phycial activity is very important for weight control adn disease prevention. Physical activity is critical to brain development. There are important relationships between physical activity, brain development, and cognitive performance. From birth to age 10, sensory and motor experiences like running, walking, jumping, and changing speed and direction of movement, play a key role in stimulating syunaptic connections between neurons which guide brain development.

Physical activity for kids has many benefits. It improves physical fitness and provides experience in setting personal goals. Physical activity gives the opportunity to assume a leadership role, with cooperation and responsibility to others. Physical activity serves as a lab for application of content from scince, math, and social studies. It helps children become more confident, assertive, independent, and self-controlled. It provides an outlet for relieving stress and anxiety.

Fairmount Elementary is classified as a Title 1 school. This means that we have more children from low income families than median or above. Our community and parents have difficulty allowing for extras such as gymnastics, or swimming lessons.

A walking trail would afford families and students a no cost way to exercise safely, away from traffic. The teachers and staff could include walking time with classroom studies, which could increase activity for both staff and students. It could be used before, during, and after school to teach children the benefits of physical fitness. This will develop good, healthy habits that they can practice throughout their lives...and ultimately pass on to their children.