Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

At-A-Glance: A Fact Sheet for Professionals

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HHS provides a fact sheet showing key exercise guidelines for children and adolescents, adults, and older adults 65 and over, as well as people with disabilities and pregnant and postpartum women. A list of Health Benefits is also provided. Check out the Be Active Your Way Blog.

Obesity and Quick Fast Food

Proximity of ‘fast-food’ restaurants to schools is a major factor

Newswise reports a study by Baylor University relating adolescent obesity to how close fast-food restaurants are located to schools. The study was selected by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as “the most influential child obesity research for the past year.”

I wonder why compelling research relating childhood obesity to sedentary lifestyles and lack of sufficient daily exercise and movement wasn’t on top – then again this childhood ‘fat factor’ is most obvious… and who needs to prove the obvious?

Want to remedy childhood obesity? Insist on daily physical education with a fitness emphasis! Daily Health education is needed too, helping people understand high calories of certain fast-foods, and the best nutrition to maintain ideal body weight.

Aging -- Fit Body, Fit Mind

Workouts help preserve mental fitness through aging

An interesting article by Christopher Hertzog and team featured in Scientific American supports physical fitness as a hedge against age-related dementia. One study cited showed how the most physically active women had a 30% lower risk of cognitive decline. In this study walking distance was related to cognition, but walking speed was not. Jennifer Weuve’s research team at Harvard University found a significant relation between energy expended in physical activity and cognition. Other interesting research is cited related to the body’s impact on the brain, giving elders an effective way to stay mentally sharp.

Sounds of Learning

Studying the Impact of Music on Children with Autism

Newswise.com reports research conducted at UCLA using music to help children with autism spectrum disorders experience emotions, an essential part of relating to people (challenging for many people with ASD). The 12-week program uses the Orff method, developed by 20th century German Composer Carl Orff. Music and movement activity are “elemental” according to Orff. Singing, clapping, dancing, musical games are used to connect learning to emotions, in an interactive setting. Interesting how educational practices a hundred years ago knew what body brain research confirms today! It’s time educators today get with it, rather than cutting music and physical education programs, making these programs central to learning.

Build Your Brain LINKS!

Build Your Own Brain with 100 Tools, Exercises, and Games


Imagine 100 engaging (fun!) ways to build your body brain! Thank you Kelly for e-mailing me this very impressive collection of activities sponsored by Healthcare Administration Degree, listing mental exercises, physical exercises, Online brain games, senior games, work games and puzzles, riddles, trivia, learning tools, and more creative brain activities… wow! WOW!