Encouraging students to stay healthy and exercise

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At White Bluff Elementary, the school makes sure to offer fruits and veggies for students.

By Brooke Kelley - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Did you exercise today? Maybe you're thinking about it or getting ready too.

Last month, Georgia governor Sonny Purdue singed a new physical education bill for schools. It requires schools to check the physical fitness of students by the 2011/2012 school year.

Schools in Chatham County are ahead of the game when it comes to encouraging their students to stay active.

It's field day at White Bluff Elementary School. Kids were definitely staying active, running, jumping rope, kicking the ball and having a good time.

Physical education teacher James Bailey says making sure students are physically fit is important.

"PE has to be fun so kids will continue to do it. If they don't enjoy it they will eventually stop doing it and the activities and we want to make it as fun as possible," said Bailey.

But it's not all fun and games. Nurse Lisa Wilson hopes these students take a valuable lesson away from this.

"Childhood obesity rates are increasing at an alarming rate which basically means children are storing more fat then ever before. Unfortunately, the forecast from the CDC is that if we don't do something about this trend, this will be the first generation outlived by their parents," said Wilson.

"Were seeing children with high blood pressure diabetes cardiac problems and issue with depression because over weight children are often the targets of bullies."

Wilson says that's why things like field days are crucial.

Being active is one thing but it's also important for students to have healthy eating habits. At White Bluff Elementary, the school makes sure to offer fruits and veggies for students.

"Fruits and veggies can not always compete with ice cream and soda but once we learn it's important we hope they make wise choices where ever they go," said Wilson.

Choices like eating right and staying active are important life lessons to live long, healthy lives.

The Savannah-Chatham School District is partnering with several community organizations to promote being active throughout the month of May.