Teenage Health by Jason Baker

Is the average student at El Segundo High School healthy? Exercise, a diet, and staying away from stress are the things teenagers need to stay healthy. As a teenager, we are going through a lot of changes and we are growing.

Exercising is the key to keep one's body in shape and to be able to do many of the things that teenagers are expected to do. The school starts the exercising process with a requirement of 20 credits of physical education. Junior Bianca Ferguson said, "Maybe if the average teen actually participated in P.E. it might be adequate but since many students stand and talk, instead of exercising." Some classes are Strength Training, Marching Band, Volleyball, or standard Physical Education. There are also sports that give a 15 credit boost. After one has completed all required credits, that is if one hasn't failed due to lack of dressing, the school leaves it up to the student to keep in shape. Activities such as running, playing volleyball at the beach, football, baseball, soccer, laser tag, paint balling, and swimming help keep you in shape. The main point is to stay away from the T.V. and going out to keep fit.

Eating over is one of the major contributors to obesity. If one eats a lot of burgers and fries or pizza loaded with toppings it is a probability that person doesn't have a balanced diet. But these foods are not all that bad just as long as there is a balance with the other foods from the food pyramid.

According to the chart, the smaller amount is for people who consume about 1,600 calories a day, such as inactive women, the larger number is for those who eat about 2,800 calories a day, such as teenage boys, active men, and very active women. For example, four levels of the pyramid could be completed if a hamburger is eaten, the meat, bread, vegetable group, and fat group, so to balance this out one would need to eat some fruit, and dairy products.

When asked if the school provided these adequate diets Senior Megan Hon said, "It depends on what you want. Most of what students choose to eat is greasy, fattening, and unhealthy. But they do have salads, juice, and milk as an option." This proves that people have the choice, they just need to be directed to what is healthy and what isn't. Senior Ava Churchill said, "I think that they are trying the best job they can for a government run institution. They have fruit, salad, and also the traditional fried chicken and nachos. Something for everybody."

Another thing that one could do to help eating habits is to stay away from the T.V., computer, and radio. While being entertained and or watching some event while eating, one will be less likely to watch how much they consume. Eating at a table would solve this problem because doing this allows one to pay attention and eat the proper foods.

Therefore, to be healthy all one has to do is exercise regularly by doing an activity that one enjoys to do, and also by eating healthy by paying attention to the food that one consumes, and by eating according to the food chart.