Road of Life: Cancer Prevention For Kids - Importance of Physical and Nutritional Education

Importance of Physical and Nutritional Education

Proper nutrition and adequate physical activity produce healthy children. According to the USDA, these two components are “essential for students to achieve their full academic potential, fulfill mental and physical growth, and lifelong health and well-being”. While it can be difficult to separate the effects of nutrition and exercise, the two have undeniable effects on an individual’s health when combined. Macera et al. report that as many as 580,000 deaths per year are attributable to unhealthy diets and lack of exercise, factors that also contribute heavily to disabilities resulting from diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and stroke. It is evident that many chronic and non-communicable diseases, such as certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases, may be prevented simply by eating enough fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. Regular physical activity, according to the US Surgeon General, “is one the most important things people can do to maintain and improve their physical health, mental health, and overall well-being.”