Date of Award

2009

Document Type

Research Paper

First Advisor

Trish Van Oosbree

Abstract

Childhood obesity is is quickly becoming a worldwide epidemic. Some factors contributing to this epidemic include more time spent in passive activities such as watching television and playing video games, eating more high fat/ high sugar content foods, and spending very little if any time being physically active. Children need more exercise options that are less intimidating than running or other strenuous exercises. This project introduces Pilates as a new form of exercise to help decrease childhood obesity and childhood depression. Various literature was looked at to determine how childhood obesity occurs and what can be done to prevent it. Also included in this study is how pre-adolescents view themselves and the consequences that can occur from having a negative body image such as depression. It was found that low impact exercise, such as Pilates can help children and pre-adolescents have a more positive body image and decrease childhood depression. It was also found that Pilates is a great way to introduce exercise to overweight children because it allows them personal attention and gives them the confidence to feel good about themselves and willing to become for physically active.

Comments

WSP Major: Communications/Kinesiology, with a minor in Psychology/Philosophy

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