NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 10 LETTERS write to reply
shock tactics are needed to change country’s habits
I’m firmly behind new shock tactics designed to encourage parents in Birmingham to look after the health of their kids – specifically, the hard-hitting posters created by celebrity photographer Rankin to show the possible future consequences of parents not controlling their children’s eating habits. One of the images, for example, shows a fair-haired boy grimacing in pain with the caption: “Ollie Webb. Heart attack. Age 35”. Commissioned by NHS Birmingham
East and North, and government information provider Dr Foster Intelligence, the campaign is targeting local areas with high rates of childhood obesity. Why is it that parents sign their kids
up for swimming lessons because they worry they may drown if they fall into a river or pond, but don’t worry that they’ll die of heart disease if they eat badly and don’t exercise regularly?
Added to this, many parents sign
their kids up for exercise classes to create some free time for themselves – not because it’s the right thing to do for their children’s health. Our industry needs more support to change people’s mindsets. The success that children and youth
fitness suppliers have enjoyed with schools in recent years, coupled with results from the latest PE and Sport Survey 2009-10 – which shows that schools are now offering ‘less traditional’ sports – proves that the interest is there if we can offer kids activities that they find fun. But we can’t change the country’s habits by ourselves, and I believe that warning campaigns like this should be rolled out nationally. marina saunders director, zigzag interactive fi tness solutions
We need to differentiate between energy and protein drinks, says Kayes
protein drinks a ‘vital part of an athlete’s armoury’ There’s been some publicity recently about the use of energy drinks by gym- goers, suggesting that these could be a waste of money. However, it’s important not to confuse energy drinks with other sports supplements, such as protein drinks, which are a valuable part of an athlete’s nutritional armoury. Indeed, rather than concentrating
on energy drinks, I believe gym-goers should be thinking about protein drinks for muscle power, so they can enjoy their workout without injury. Too often people set off to the gym without thinking about the pounding they will be giving their muscles. It’s easy to do lasting damage to ill- prepared muscles with a couple of heavy workouts at the gym. As fitness professionals will be
aware, when people exercise they break down muscle tissue. The muscles then use protein to repair themselves, recover and strengthen. Protein is the building block of the human body and gym-goers, whether professional or amateur athletes, need to protect their muscles by boosting their protein intake on a regular basis. The ultimate outcome will be
Posters show possible future consequences of not controlling kids’ eating 8 Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
improved performance, better recovery times and an increased enjoyment in your members’ chosen form of exercise. kerry kayes chair, cnp
november/december 2010 © cybertrek 2010
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