Commentary - Positive Portion Control in a Super Sized World

In our super sized world the portions our kids are eating is almost a worse problem than the food choices themselves. Add that to the lack of movement by kids today and you certainly have a potential national crisis. The video game thumb is the strongest muscle in some youth; add that to the french fry jaw and you have the brawn of the future. How can we as a public promote better health and fitness? One group is not only taking a stand for better fit kids, but promoting kids to stand and walk into a better future.

There is a new trend starting in Elementary Schools around the state because of this group. Kids are not just having a fit about it; they are having a Royal Fit! The fit is for fitness. Royal Fit Club is a new campaign in selected Elementary Schools with the purpose of influencing kids, educators and parents to partner in helping youth to be more conscientious about their health. They promote an understanding that kids healthy future depends upon healthier habits today.
The fact is that our kids are in potential crisis, with serious health issues gripping the nation. Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) has already implemented a Health and Wellness policy in schools K-12.

According to the facts printed in their policy, “The current generation of children will become the heaviest adults in US history and may be the first generation to have a life-span that is shorter than their parents or grandparents.” “In Utah, 25% of students K-8 are overweight or obese. 37,000 of Utah’s secondary school students are overweight or obese. This is enough to fill 410 classrooms” (2002 UDOH). This is heavy, and not just in weight.

We live in a society where everything is super sized, from our televisions to our take-out. We all want more. What about more life, more quality health, more years to enjoy, and more energy and health in our futures? The SLCSD Wellness Policy calls upon parents, students, teachers, and community members to support them in their efforts to provide a school environment that enhances learning and development of lifelong wellness practices. Their call to the community sparked students of the Salt Lake Community College to put together the Royal Fit Club campaign that will implement resources in the school to help initiate a healthier way of thinking for these kids and their families. Now kids are having a Royal Fit about being part of the Royal Fit Club. Its cool, its competitive, its entertaining, and they are learning more about health and fitness, particularly portion control. These kids are fighting back against a world that serves them adult sized portions. They are learning about how food works in their bodies, and taking a stand to walk into their futures healthier.

Not only does the campaign educate the kids but it calls on parents to better understand what is healthy to serve up for their kids. The program wants to see parents partner in parental control and guidance for their kids future. Now days you can parental control their television viewing, parental control the video games they play, why not parental control the portion size. What goes into these kids today is what comes out tomorrow. Our super sized world needs a super sized effort to stand for a healthier and fit future.