When considering ADHD behaviour and obesity in children, the HET PHEW programme comes in to its own. Physical Holistic Exercise Workout plays a pivotal role in HET as a tool for well being. Since ex Olympic Coach, Allan Jones joined the HET team as a consultant for family health and well being though healthy balanced exercise, his main focus is encouraging young people to work as family coaches to meet government guidelines in healthy living and lifestyle choices. The PHEW programme has enjoyed considerable success.

This aspect of the programme has been made available outside of the Stepping stone programme on request as a standalone module. Please email Allan@HETwebsite.com for further details.

Allan has provided me witht he following research to publish.

At one end of the spectrum, we have 5% of the population with ADHD behaviours. These young  people are known to respond well to structured exercise programmes on 2 levels. Many of them enjoy sports activities that they can do on their own, which encourage concentration and individual movements, for example,  martial arts, which  also encourage self discipline.

Developing aerobic activity in a team context often encourages children to engage with others and appreciate success and achievement in a team environment. This is often helpful as it takes awareness away from self to involve others and develops an awareness of consequences and participation.  Also aerobic activity gives the ADHD youngsters a calming effect after exercise. This is due to a release of brain hormones known as endorphins which produce a feel good factor.

Often children with ADHD spend prolonged periods of time on the computer games console because they can see themselves succeeding and they are motivated at an achievement level. This  motivation factor can be transferred to a team game approach.

It is best if  bouts of activity are pursued in  regular 10 minute  exercises rather than prolonged over 90 minute periods for example.

At the other end of the scale, Government figures relate that about 17% of British youngsters are obese, some 900,000 in total. Being obese means that they are more than 20% heavier than the recommended weight for their height. Without action, this figure is anticipated to rise by 25% by 2050. A study by Newcastle University earlier in 2009, showed that about seven in ten parents of overweight children were in denial about the problem. Figures from the Department of Health show that 10% of British children are obese at the age of 5, and 20% have reached that level by the time they start secondary school. The early years of childhood  take on significant importance in establishing appropriate nutrition and the benefits of physical activity. Indeed, there is growing evidence that fat children are in danger of staying fat for the rest of their lives.

PHEW ( Physical Holistic Exercise Workout ) is a programme within Holistic Educational Therapy, pioneered  by Linda Porter and provides a ‘toolbox’ of activities for HET practitioners to use with young people and adults in a family setting to enjoy and  contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

‘Our parents condition us - our children teach us’  HET relates that when we choose to listen to what our children are saying - then we choose to learn and heal our own childhood.

Despite efforts, campaigns targeting local and national  levels which aim stemming the tidal wave of physical inactivity are proving difficult. As the 2012 Olympic Games in London approach, organisers believe that the legacy of  Britain’s largest ever sporting event will be increased levels of physical activity amongst the population.  It is ironic that despite  vast amounts of money which  have been spent on  Olympic venues, infrastructure, National Lottery funding etc. for Elite Sports Performers, should attempt to increase health  benefits for the mass of the population -when no country has ever left a legacy of increased physical activity from hosting the Games !

As HET is a family therapy, PHEW is designed to involve both parents and their young family in developing attitudes and motivation towards participating in physical activity with the emphasis on achieving the Chief Medical Officer’s  recommended  targets  for physical activity.  PHEW encourages young people to  develop the role of  becoming a ‘family coach’ within the family unit  and  maintain activity levels developing the benefits of  lifelong physical activity. The benefits of  Eco-therapy, enjoying  activity in the countryside - walking, cycling, exercise using recycled materials, making changes in lifestyle activity form the basis of PHEW activity.

HET Practitioners  use the PHEW materials  with clients in identifying and understanding  their motivation  to changing behaviours towards adopting regular physical activity. It covers aspects like previous experience, assessment of their physical surroundings, social surroundings and personal thoughts. A Lifestyle Questionnaire provides background information on our present health status. Getting started on a planned programme of activity includes paying attention to the ‘Stages of Change model’, and completing an Exercise Contract, making those lifestyle changes and ensuring that the client is supported throughout involvement with PHEW.

‘Be Active, Be Healthy’ is a strategy which claims that ‘a seamless co ordination of physical activity alongside sport should be put into place at local level‘, where County Sports Partnerships develop action plans placed on a business footing which will contribute to a Legacy Action Plan to produce two million more active adults by 2012.

This will require leadership at local area level with  Primary Care  Trusts, Local Authorities and other members of Local Strategic Partnerships formalising agreements. As each region of the country varies in  participation opportunities, creating active environments is a key focus. An example is by establishing ‘Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives - A Healthy Community Challenge Fund aims to test what needs to be done in making regular physical activity and healthy food choices easier for local people.

Starting in the summer of 2009, the Department of Health  aims to get more families and vulnerable groups walking in deprived areas. There is evidence that people that live near green spaces are less obese, more active, have less stress and live longer. Indeed, by the time of the Olympic Games, there are plans to establish 2012 Active Challenge routes across England ( close to where people live ). Markings and signage will identify one mile routes which form the basis for an individual walking based fitness test. There  is a need to promote family activity and play, to contribute to the emotional, social, cognitive and physical development of young people. This is addressed by initiatives like Change4Life - Play4Life championed by Pepsi Cola !

Following the success of British Cyclists at the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, Cycling has received a boost with increased numbers  participating. However, in Great Britain just 1% of all trips are taken by bicycle, predominantly by young fit men. This does not compare well with  a country like Holland where the figure is 27% . It is no surprise that Holland leads Europe in being its most active nation with active travel policies. Cycling England states that a 20% increase in cycling by 2015 would save £107m in premature deaths, £52m in lowered NHS costs, £87m by shrinking absences from work.

It is interesting to note that just 69% of British Schools have a Travel Plan , so it is hoped that this will reach 100% in 2010. It is no wonder that the NHS will engage in cycling promotion, not only with its  Physical Activity Care Pathway from Primary Care, but within Healthy Schools.

Great Britain  will be looking to  finish no lower than fourth in the overall medal table at the London Olympics 2012, but will it be a greater achievement to have moved up the table of most active countries in the World ? Britain lies outside the top 20 nations !!!! Many will be more concerned with this and many think that this is more important.

So PHEW! Developed within the Holistic Educational Therapy Programme, PHEW has now indirectly received endorsement from the powers that be who lead the fight against ill health and social inequality. PHEW Practitioners should be encouraged to know that ‘out there’ more resources, more like minded people, more opportunities, could be coming to a neighbourhood near you!

Tags: ADHD ADHD Behaviour Obesity In Children

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