The National Symposium on Children’s Wellness, Development & Organized Sports The Center For Kids FIRST In Sports

The Need for a National Symposium The near and longer term affect of overweight and obesity is leading to an national and global health care crisis that will dwarf the issues related to tobacco and health care There currently is NO national forum to illuminate the issues and propose viable solutions Organized youth sports has become as much a part of the problem as it should be a solution for children interested in organized sports. The individuals and institutions capable of providing awareness and solutions are too fragmented to alter negative trends in health care and organized sports A national dialogue among the healthcare community, public policy makers, schools, and those offering organized sports is essential to affect positive change.

Children’s Health & Physical Development The occurrence of overweight or obesity in adolescent children between the ages 12 and 19 has nearly tripled in the past two decades. * Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. This increases to 80% if one or more parent is overweight or obese. * Risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, occur with increased frequency in overweight children and overweight or obese adults are at risk for a number of health problems including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and some forms of cancer. * Treatment of obesity and related illnesses costs exceed $115 Billion annually, is rising sharply and already exceeds the costs for tobacco related illnesses. The most immediate consequence of overweight as perceived by the children themselves is social discrimination. This is associated with poor self-esteem and depression. * Heath * The Surgeon General 1999

Children’s Health & Physical Development 51% of high school students are not rigorously active Only 29% of high school students had daily physical education in 1999 – down from 42% in 1991 Only 61% of students in K-12 had gym class at least once each week School budget woes forcing cuts in arts, trades, and athletics Interscholastic athletics only serving 20% of students – just the best Physical Education & Schools

Children’s Health & Physical Development 40 million kids participating in organized youth sports 70% Quit by age 15 – 1 st year of high school Less than 20% of high school students are involved in sports 80% of kids are in non-school programs Participation in non-school sports has increased while participation in interscholastic sports has decreased Violence, abuse, poor sportsmanship, and litigation have increased dramatically Pressure and stress to “make it to the next level” Youth Sports

Why The Center For Kids FIRST In Sports? We are a national resource committed to enhancing the emotional and physical development of children The center is engaged in dialogue with leading authorities in sports, health care, and public policy By virtue of our contacts we are capable of bringing together those who are capable of influencing the national dialogue The Center for Kids FIRST in Sports, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non- profit organization, is a national resource for young people, parents, schools, league administrators, coaches, and others who care about the influence of organized youth sports on children’s wellness and physical and emotional development.

Conference Objectives The conference will bring together influential minds to illuminate issues on children’s health and development through physical activity and sports and propose viable solutions Discover the latest advances in research Discover effective solutions to keeping children physically active Establish a national dialogue on the issues and solutions Develop and strengthen partnerships to fight obesity, change sedentary lifestyles, and effectively structure youth sports to serve the needs of all children Exchange ideas and explore opportunities to collaborate with policy makers Establish a network of concerned Establish a network of concerned community stakeholders

What You Will Learn Past, present, and future changes in ways of thinking about health, exercise, diet, and sports Changing roles of athletics in schools Evolution of sports in culture Athletic programs that teach virtue, character, and important life skills Realistic expectations from youth sports The role of media in shaping this culture Methods and solutions for changing policy, programs, and culture

Who Should Attend School administrators Educators from all levels Coaches, Athletic Directors, and Recreation Directors Youth league administrators School Board Members State and local officials Physicians & Health care professionals University Students Industry stakeholders – food, athletic, manufacturing, etc. Writers and journalists