1-3 Fit Kids Have Better Test Scores

From VOA Learning English, this is the health report.

Overweight. Out of shape. Fat. Whatever you want to call it, many studies show that children around the world are becoming less active and less physically fit. The result is an increase in obesity, the condition of being severely overweight. Also diabetes and other diseases. It is a major concern for public health officials. And it may be that fitness levels affect more than physical health. For students, it may also affect test scores.

VOA's Carol Pearson was in Redondo Beach, California recently, with more than 700 children. They were walking to school with parents, and in some cases, even their dogs. The students do this once a week. The children may not know it, but they walk to reduce childhood obesity. It is also meant to increase their activity or fitness level. It's a good way to get the kids exercising in the morning. For the kids, it's just fun.

Person 1: I like walking to school with my friends. One of my friends' name is Alyssa, and we talk about a lot of things that we do. A lot of things at school, how hard our homework is, and all of the fun activities we're doing.

A study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that most American children are physically unfit. But children in other countries also face this problem. Health officials across the world are concerned about rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes in children as young as 8. This type of diabetes is directly related to poor diet and lack of physical activity. The World Health Organization advises that children between the ages of 5 and 17 get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. The activity should be moderate to very energetic or vigorous.

Studies on children and exercise show that fitness is good for more than just physical health. A U.S. Institute of Medicine study shows that physical activity helps students with their studies. Harold Cole led the study. He is a professor of epidemiology at the University of Texas. He researches how diseases spread among populations.

Harold Cole: The evidence is really emerging in the last five or six years, both cognitive studies as well as brain imaging studies and others, that show that the effects, the acute effects of about or two of physical activity on blood perfusion in the brain and the centers that really help children learn, recall things faster, think faster, and actually achieve, are more likely to achieve their full academic potential compared to children who are not physically active.

A University of Illinois study shows similar results. Professor Charles Hillman spoke to VOA on Skype.

Charles Hillman: We find that following the bout of walking, children have higher academic achievement scores in reading and mathematics. Mr. Hillman says children in his study who had physical activity on a usual basis improved in school. He also says children learn best if physical activity is encouraged. If physical activity is included during class time or before.

And that's the health report. I'm Ana Mateo.

And now for words in this story.

Obesity. Noun. A condition where you have too much fat stored in the body.

Active. Adjective. Engaging or ready to engage in physical energetic pursuits.

Activity. Noun. Something that is done for pleasure and that usually involves a group of people.

Fitness. Noun. The quality or state of being fit or healthy.

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