Guest Post By: Cristian Delgado, Mizuno USA Intern
When I was first asked to write a blog about Mizuno’s fight against childhood obesity, the first thought that came to my head was “how in the world would I, who had no kids, relate to an issue going on with children?”
I had never seriously struggled with weight during my teen and adult life, but I immediately found the answer I was looking for. I remembered the serious weight issues that I struggled with myself during my elementary school years that seemed to have miraculously disappeared over time. I’d always wondered what exactly changed during that summer before I entered middle school to make my “baby fat” disappear. Upon further investigation, the answer was simple— I started playing more.
You don’t have to be a parent to notice that childhood obesity has established itself as a major concern in the United States. According to PHIT America, there are 10 million totally sedentary children in America and 33 million children who are not active to healthy standards. Inactivity in children can lead to poorer academic performance in school, various health problems, misconduct and an overall shorter lifespan.
The benefits of exercise are as apparent to us runners as the benefits of turning on your GPS tracking device before a big run for Facebook bragging rights. These benefits include improved cardiovascular health, a stronger body and weight control. It’s important that these benefits and fruitful habits are passed down to children as well.
Mizuno’s ready to do something about childhood obesity and has partnered with PHIT America, Kids In The Game and the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) to create Go! Grants—a grant program providing resources to elementary schools to jumpstart physical activity programs.
The average annual budget for physical education in schools is a mere $764. What’s special about these grants is that they will give children who could not participate in a sport due to financial reasons, which is 62 percent of all children who drop out of sports, an opportunity to get in the game and play. This not only gives kids the chance to feel included and have fun, but it also allows them to get the daily recommended physical activity that they need to grow as healthier, happier individuals. Even better, is that anyone can apply for their local elementary school to receive a $1,000-5,000 grant.
The importance of physical education in schools extends beyond the short term. Research conducted by the SFIA reveals that 80% of adults who had regular physical education at school will stay active throughout their lives. This means that physical education in more elementary schools will lead to more athletes, more team members, more marathon runners and more people experiencing the transformative power of sports that Mizuno wants the world to experience.
Cristian is a native of Gainesville, Ga. where he attended Johnson High School and played tennis competitively for his school’s varsity team. Cristian loves spending his spare time running, playing tennis and joining in pick-up basketball with friends. He recently graduated from the University of Georgia Magna Cum Laude, where his fondest memories were made playing in the Redcoat Marching Band. Cristian loves working in the sports industry and plans to continue to do so with his shiny new bachelor’s degree in public relations.