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FF students part of nationwide JAM
Published 12:33pm Wednesday, September 5, 2012Although it will only be one minute of light exercise, the JAMmin Minute for JAMmin Across America could get up to 2 million kids and citizens across the country up and moving at the same time, and the Fergus Falls School District will participate.
The possible world record event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sept. 27, and the student-led minute of exercise is one small part of a much bigger effort to get kids active, said health care coordinator for PartnerSHIP 4 Health Kristin Erikson.
“This is a chance to kick off the school year right,” she said. “Schools, workplaces and business can sign up (for the JAMmin Minute).”
Students end up sitting for much of the school day, so this is a great opportunity to get kids active even though it will only last for about a minute or two, Erikson said.
All participants can do the JAMmin Minute to an online video, but this is not a requirement. Some teachers have decided to make their own JAMmin music videos to move to. It’s also OK to just spend one to five minutes running in place, doing jumping jacks or anything, said Erikson.
“We want people of all ages and abilities to participate in this world record,” she said. “We’re trying to get everyone excited about it.”
The obesity rate among children is continuing to rise, and this might be a good way to help teach kids that it is important to take a little time out to get moving, said Erikson.
“A healthy weight leads to fewer chronic diseases, fewer illnesses, better academic scores and better behavior,” she said.
The JAMmin Minute world record event by itself won’t do much to the obesity rate, but it’s part of a bigger picture to get kids more active.
“This is one small piece of a pretty big puzzle,” Erikson said. “This is just one little event to support a culture of wellness.”
