PTA brings together experts to talk about student health

Healthy eating, exercise and drug prevention were the key topics during a health and fitness program hosted by the 12th District PTA at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo on Thurs., Oct. 18.

Focused on health issues facing local students from kindergarten to high school, the free evening program attracted parents throughout the county.

"Our focus this year is health and nutrition, and we wanted to fill a room with reliable resources and guest speakers to inform parents about everything from good food choices and exercise habits to dental and vision screening and the perils of drug use," said Patti Yomantas, president of 12th District PTA, which serves PTA associations and councils throughout Ventura County.

Environmental toxins and children's health expert Dr. Sharon Norling warned the audience about the potential dangers of the growing number of prescription drugs being given to children, which, she said, have been tested only on adults.

"Antipsychotic drugs are being increasingly prescribed to kids today," Norling said. "Prescriptions for ADHD drugs, for example, are up to 4 million today compared to 250,000 in the 1980s."

Norling said the use of antidepressants for children is also up 21 percent.

"It is also alarming that these medications have never been tested on kids," she said.

Norling spoke about the dangers of many common toxins which many youngsters are exposed to daily, including personal care products, bleach and even sunscreen.

"Buy organic, if you can, to avoid pesticide residue," Norling said on food. "It is worth it for your family's long-term health."

Senior Dep. Joe Evans, a crime prevention officer and substance abuse expert from the Thousand Oaks Police Department, said parents need to begin talking to their children about the dangers of drugs long before high school.

"By fifth or sixth-grade, you should start planting snippets of information about substance abuse to your kids," Evans said. "Play out scenarios, make consequences clear and teach them how to say 'no.'"

Evans said even though marijuana is still considered a popular "gateway drug," prescription drug abuse is on the rise among teens.

Marilyn Godfrey, a registered dietitian and coordinator of the Healthy Food Choices Project for Ventura Unified School District, spoke about alternative food choices in the school cafeteria and in the classroom.

"Classroom parties don't have to be food-centered," Godfrey said. "Choose another activity like reading, dancing or crafts."

Joe Cook, director of nutrition at Conejo Valley Unified School District, agreed with Godfrey about her call for healthy food choices.

"We want kids to get excited about health and nutrition," Cook said. "Healthy doesn't have to be boring. So in our school cafeterias, we started introducing the 'fruit of the month,' and we are also experimenting with muffins with rolled oats and flaxseed."

Carla Ferrigno, author, personal trainer and wife of body builder-turned-actor Lou Ferrigno, talked about how she grew up with limited healthy food choices but was able to change her eating habits as an adult.

"Never criticize your kids while they're eating," Ferrigno said. "Be a healthy and fit role model. Get up earlier if you work full-time and find something you like to do so you will stick to it. It can be running, dancing, tennis or weight-lifting."