Can video games promote healthier aging?
Science Daily    Share   
Videogame technology is proving to be a valuable tool for helping people of all ages improve lifestyle and health habits and manage disease. New research is showing that exergames have significant benefits for older adults by providing cognitive stimulation and a source of social interaction, exercise and fun. Thus, the games help them to lead fuller, more independent lives for a longer time, according to two articles in Games for Health Journal, a new bimonthly peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. More

	FDA clears Child Body-Fat Scales Tanita introduces FDA cleared body fat scales for children. Weight and BMI can be misleading. Use Tanita scales to help your students achieve their fitness goals. MORE

Optimism reduces the risk of heart disease
The New York Times    Share   
Laughter may not exactly be the best medicine. But a cheerful outlook on life may be good for your heart. So concludes new research on the impact of happiness and optimism on cardiovascular health. Scientists have known about the reverse relationship between psychological health and heart health for some time; studies show that depression and anxiety can worsen outcomes for heart patients. But the findings on happiness and its medical impact over the years have not been as consistent. More

American Association for Health Education

Studies question the pairing of food deserts and obesity
The New York Times    Share   
It has become an article of faith among some policymakers and advocates, including Michelle Obama, that poor urban neighborhoods are food deserts, bereft of fresh fruits and vegetables. But two new studies have found something unexpected. Such neighborhoods not only have more fast food restaurants and convenience stores than more affluent ones, but more grocery stores, supermarkets and full-service restaurants, too. And there is no relationship between the type of food being sold in a neighborhood and obesity among its children and adolescents. More



LAUSD chief wants to keep health class as graduation requirement
LA Daily News    Share   
Los Angeles Unified Superintendent John Deasy said recently that health-education class should remain a requirement for high school graduation, overruling a recommendation by his staff. Administrators were inundated with an avalanche of critical emails after Deputy Superintendent Jaime Aquino unveiled a plan to switch the one-semester class from a required to an elective course, beginning fall 2012. The change was included in a plan to overhaul LAUSD graduation requirements so they match the minimum standards for admission to California's public universities. Because health isn't required by either the University of California or California State University system, it would become an optional course. More

American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation

Older Americans Month 2012
Older Americans Month    Share   
May is Older Americans Month, a perfect opportunity to show our appreciation for the older adults in our communities. Since 1963, communities across the nation have come together to celebrate Older Americans Month, a proud tradition that shows our nation's commitment to recognizing the contributions and achievements of older Americans. More

	Guaranteed Learning Every instructor can be invincible. Every student can learn if YOU use a teaching system that cannot fail. See it demonstrated at the Guaranteed Learning World Conference as people who are terrified in water learn to swim happily. YOU can guarantee that students will learn. Boost confidence. Change lives. MORE

Promoting physical activity through shared use of school and community recreational resources
Active Living Research    Share   
A new research brief from Active Living Research summarizes research on community access to school sport and recreation facilities outside of school hours, as well as studies that examine the shared use of school facilities and programs with other community groups or agencies. It also describes challenges commonly associated with the shared use of recreational facilities, and opportunities for policymakers at the state and local level. More

Study weighs benefits of organizing recess
Education Week    Share   
While an overwhelming number of elementary school principals believe in the power of recess to improve academic achievement and make students more focused in class, most discipline-related problems happen at school when kids cut loose at recess and lunch, according to surveys. One of the solutions, according to a study released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: more and well-trained staff on the playground. More

National Association for Girls and Women in Sport

Celebrating women's athletics
BU Today    Share   
On April 20 the Boston University athletics department kicked off a weekend-long celebration commemorating two critical moments in women's athletics: the passage, 40 years ago, of Title IX, the landmark federal legislation that guaranteed women's collegiate athletics programs would receive the same funding as men's, and the 30th anniversary of NCAA championship play for women athletes. The celebration, titled Pass It On, will include a networking event for current student-athletes and alumnae mentors, an all-sports clinic conducted by current BU female student-athletes for elementary school children, an alumnae soccer game, and a varsity lacrosse game in which the Terriers host Canisius College. More

Motherhood, injury add to difficulties of being a dual-sport athlete
The Telescope    Share   
For a student-athlete one sport can be a handful, but for Palomar's Soliaana Faapouli that's nothing compared to the challenges that she has had to endure as a two-sport athlete. If she isn't playing basketball in the gym during the winter, then she's out on the track throwing the shotput, discus, hammer and javelin in the spring. As a dual sport athlete, Faapouli has been faced with many obstacles. Not only must she keep up with her academics, but she also has to be present at physically strenuous practices for two sports, which can be hard on the body. She quickly learned how to manage team time and study hall, juggle basketball workouts with track meets and when to make the decision to sacrifice treasured sleep to study. But she said her two biggest challenges are being a single parent and an injured athlete. More