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Walking to School
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The Benefits of Walking to School
by Gwen Petreman
Many people have no idea that the majority of nasty emissions spewing from the exhaust of motor vehicles are released when engines are started, in stop-start traffic and during short trips like driving children to school. Most never think about the cumulative effect of dozens and dozens of motorized vehicles all congregating in one small area spewing out highly toxic fumes. If you don’t already know about the serious damage caused by green house gases to our environment watch Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth or Leonardo de Capri’s 11th Hour.
As children hop out of vehicles in front of their schools their fast-breathing little lungs are inhaling extremely damaging chemicals such sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, lead and volatile compounds.
Over 2 000 peer-reviewed studies have shown over and over again that all sized particles from car exhausts pose significant health hazards for our children and ourselves. In the last 20 years there has been an alarming increase in reduced lung functions and respiratory illnesses.
There has been a disturbing increase in the number of patients visiting emergency rooms suffering from acute respiratory ailments. There has been a significant increase in the number of serious asthma attacks suffered by young children, as well, as an increase in the number of children whose asthma was so serious that they required hospitalization.
All parents want their children to excel at school. However, driving your child to school can affect their ability to learn. An article published in Particle and Fibre Toxicology 2008 found that diesel exhaust caused inflammation in the brain cortex. This kind of stress of the brain cortex has been associated with impairment of brain functions that could have serious impacts on your child’s ability to learn and succeed at school.
And just in the last month (March, 2008) extremely disturbing news came from the University of California where researchers headed by Dr. Jesus Araujo reported that ultra fine particles, from which vehicle exhaust is the largest single source, caused hardening of the arteries and heart attacks. It was demonstrated that the ultra fine particles triggered the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries and may also knock out the protective qualities of HDL cholesterol, the so called good cholesterol.
Before driving your child to school consider the following benefits of walking:
1. enhance psychological well being
2. become more attentive and alert
3. improve self-esteem and sense of autonomy
4. increase concentration
5. improve memory
6. increase energy levels
7. improve flexibility
8. improve coordination
9. help make muscles stronger and leaner
10. strengthen immune system
11. reduce body fat
12. help control body weight and greatly reduce chances of becoming obese
13. help make bones strong and healthy
14. reduce risk of developing non-insulin diabetes
If you want to find out more about Active and Safe Routes to School check out http//www.saferoutestoschool.ca/whosdoingitinontario.asp
General Benefits of Walking for Adults
1. reduce risk of coronary heart disease
2. reduce risk of a stroke
3. reduce high cholesterol
4. improve blood lipid profile
5. help prevent osteoporosis
6. reduce risk of colon cancer
7. reduce high blood pressure
8. sleep better
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