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Local News

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Weekend column: Be proactive in the battle against obesity
Horizon Eyecare - Findlay
By SUSAN RUSSELL

Obesity is an epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one in four children is either overweight or at risk for being overweight.

Overweight children are now experiencing difficulties that were thought of as adult problems only.

Overweight children are often the last to be chosen as playmates, even in pre-school. This group is more likely to develop unhealthy eating habits and may be prone to depression and substance abuse.

Being overweight is a result of an imbalance in calories in and calories out. Youth who are regularly active have a better chance at a healthy childhood and will remain healthy as adults.

Children and adolescents should do a minimum of 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily. Since it is the start to a new year, what better time to develop physical activity in your child's life?

Aerobic, muscle- and bone-strengthening are three types of physical activity for children. Each type has benefits.

Aerobic activities should be done three to five times a week and might include rollerblading, biking, skateboarding, swimming, dancing, etc. These activities will increase cardiorespiratory fitness.

Muscle-strengthening can be unstructured and part of play. These include games such as tug-o-war, swinging and tree climbing. More structured activities might include resistance exercises or lifting weights. These activities will strengthen muscles and should be done at least three days a week.

Bone-strengthening activities will produce bone strength and growth and should be done at least three days a week. Examples include running, jumping rope, basketball and hopscotch -- all activities that include contact with the ground.

Many activities fit into more than one category. Children can also develop muscle strength through unstructured activities around the house that involve lifting or working against resistance, commonly called chores.

A children's activity guide may be found at the Web site, www.mypyramid.gov

It's important to have fun while active. If children have been leading an inactive lifestyle, start slow and work up to the guidelines. Try activities by yourself or with family and friends.

As part of the 2010 "Be Healthy Now" program, Final Friday Fitness will be offered to all youth grades 5-8. OSU Extension, Hancock County Schools and the YMCA are providing activities to get our youth moving.

Events will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. on the final Friday of each month at the downtown YMCA.

Sessions offered may include yoga, double-dutch jump rope, line dancing, aerobic boxing, water games, and more. Information and permission forms are on the www.behealthynow.us Web site.

Pre-registration is requested so we may secure an appropriate number of volunteers.

All participants will be included in a drawing for iPods, Guitar Hero video games and a youth membership at the YMCA. A 5K run/walk will be held in April.

Let's get moving!

Russell is extension educator, 4-H Youth Development, for Ohio State University, Hancock County. She can be reached at 419-422-3851, via e-mail at or online at http://hancock.osu.edu.


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State Farm Agent Holly Spann
News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.