Girls who are inactive during adolescence gain an average of 10 to 15 pounds more than active girls, according to results of a 10-year observational study of obesity. These new results show that a previously reported steep decline in physical activity among adolescent girls is directly associated with increased fatness and an increase of body mass index (BMI), a measure of body weight adjusted for height.
The results of the Health and Growth Study, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, were published recently in the online edition of Lancet.
Previous studies found that girls’ leisure-time physical activity declined significantly between the ages of 9 and 19. During the teen years, opportunities for participation in organized sports decrease and fewer hours are spent in physical education classes. Additionally, teens walk less once they start driving cars.
"Activities like watching television, playing video games, and sitting in front of a computer need to be offset by regular vigorous exercise to prevent the development of a sedentary lifestyle," said Lori Feldman-Winter, M.D., an adolescent medicine specialist in Cooper University Hospital's Department of Pediatrics. "The habits teens adopt are likely to stay with them into adulthood, potentially leading to serious health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes."
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| Girls ages 13 to 17 who are overweight and/or underfit can participate in this small group class in our friendly, supportive environment. |
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Classes will be held two times per week for six weeks
Location: 1011 Main Street Promenade, Voorhees, NJ 08043
Fee: $120
Session I
Mondays & Wednesdays, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. beginning September 24, 2007
Session II
Mondays & Wednesdays, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. beginning November 5, 2007 |
Just preventing the decline in physical activity that currently occurs among adolescent girls may help to prevent obesity. This fall, Cooper for Women is giving teens an alternative by launching “Core and More for Girls,” a new fitness program designed especially for teen girls.
“This is the first program that teens can take and enjoy positive results without the need for special training or talents, “ Dr. Winter added.
Girls ages 13 to 17 who are overweight and/or underfit can participate in this small group class in our friendly, supportive environment. Led by certified trainers from J.T.’s Fitness in Voorhees, New Jersey, “Core and More for Girls” is a high energy, low impact workout that will help burn fat, build muscle and increase endurance. In addition, the program will provide mini-workshops on a variety of health and wellness issues for teen girls, including nutrition, self-esteem, bullying, stress and fashion. A physician note is required for participation.
This six-week class will be held at Cooper for Women, 1011 Main Street Promenade, Voorhees, New Jersey. Classes will be Mondays and Wednesdays, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., beginning September 24, 2007. The cost is $120.
For more information about Cooper for Women or to register for "Core and More for Girls," call 1-877-662-CARE (2273).