Children at risk identified, but who follows up?

Since 1998, West Virginia University’s CARDIAC program  has identified thousands of West Virginia fifth-graders with very high blood pressure, risky cholesterol and obesity – early warning signs of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke – but no state agency has ever followed up on those children.

Nebraska school district slims kids by 13 percent / Can West Virginia schools do it too?

Starting in 2005, within five years a Nebraska school chopped the obesity rate of its grade school students by a stunning 13 percent. How did they do it?

Rocking the gym at 7:30 AM. Wood school gets kids fit before they sit.

Before students at a Wood County West Virginia elementary school ever hit the books, they hit the gym for a half hour of physical activity, waking them up and getting them ready to learn.

EDITORIAL: Kids learn fitness from doing

Kanawha Elementary is teaching the students by example. Human bodies need physical activity, at least a little bit, every day. It should be part of the schedule.

Running It Off: A lot of support plus a treadmill

The treadmill is a tight fit in his Ripley, W.Va., living room, but16-year-old Benji Willis has used it to lose 102 pounds in six months.

Girl, 9, and grandparents determined to hold off diabetes

Lexi Winnell, 9, is insulin resistant, a red-flag sign of diabetes risk. Swimming, walking and exercising, she and her grandparents are determined to bring down her risk of diabetes. “We want her to have a long, healthy life,” grandmother Kelly Winnell said.

Marple urges collaboration on obesity, teen pregnancy and hunger

State School Superintendent Jorea Marple challenged state wellness conference  attendees to find collaborative ways to tackle three heart-wrenching problems she said are “too big for schools to handle alone”: teen pregnancy, obesity and child hunger, which keep many young West Virginians from learning effectively,

RESOURCES: Physical activity links for children, teachers and older adults

Here are a host of links to resources on activities, fitness and health for parents, teachers,  older adults and anyone who works with children.

TIPS: Physical activity ideas for parents

How can a parent encourage a child to be active? Try these solid suggestions from some of the best sources around, starting with “Be a good role model.”

W.Va. Schools Superintendent: Get the children moving and eating well

West Virginia School Superintendent Jorea Marple has launched a statewide campaign to improve school food and get children more active.