February 2020
HEALTHY KIDS, HEALTHY FUTURE
Improving youth fitness through assessment, science and research.
The holidays are over and 2020 is in full swing. As we move through the winter months, it's important to remember that seasonal depression is a real issue for many people - including our teenagers. The good news is that fitness can help improve both mental and physical health.

February is also American Heart Month . Heart disease is still the number one killer of American adults. Helping kids get fit can set them on the right path and turn the tide for future generations. It's a great motivator to keep working on those New Year's Resolutions. Let's make this the healthiest year ever so we can all live #WELLintothefuture !
Fitness May Protect Teens From Depression

It’s no surprise to most parents that teens can be moody and temperamental, but it can actually be a sign of depression.

Physical fitness may be just what teens need to keep depression at bay, stay healthy and keep their grades up. 
Success Stories: Classroom Activity Improves Fitness

Recess and P.E. class are great ways to get kids active at school. Studies show that  students who are physically active tend to have better grades, school attendance, memory, and classroom behaviors . Unfortunately, the majority of students across the country don’t get daily recess or physical education.

Learn how teachers at Vaughn Elementary in Frisco, TX are working to change this with classroom physical activity.
FitnessGram 101: What is Aerobic Capacity?

Aerobic capacity , also known as cardiorespiratory fitness, is the maximal amount of oxygen that can be used by the working muscles.

FitnessGram measures aerobic capacity, putting students into one of three categories: Healthy Fitness Zone, Needs Improvement Zone, or Health Risk Zone. This gives parents and teachers an idea of the student's risk of developing cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.

Watch our kid-friendly video to better understand and improve aerobic capacity.
Apply Now to Become A Healthy Zone School

The application for the 2020 - 2021 school year is now open for schools in North Texas (Dallas, Collin, Rockwall, and Southern Denton counties).  Here are some ways you can help us encourage schools to apply:

APPLICATION CLOSES FEB. 1, 2020
FitnessGram by The Cooper Institute is both a fitness assessment and data-management software to accurately measure student physical fitness levels. FitnessGram measures the fitness of more than 10 million students across the country in over 20,000 schools.
The NFL PLAY 60 FitnessGram Project is a partnership between the NFL Foundation and The Cooper Institute. Together, we are encouraging students to get active and get healthy with 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
The Healthy Zone Schools Program is a partnership between The Cooper Institute and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas to support and recognize schools that are fighting the childhood obesity epidemic and creating healthy school environments.