The document discusses the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (P.A.L.A.) and its relevance to scouting. It notes rising obesity rates among Indiana youth and discusses factors contributing to declining physical activity. P.A.L.A. aims to encourage healthy lifestyles through incentives and many scouting resources like merit badges and activities support increasing youth physical activity.

1. P. A. L. A.
Presidential Active Lifestyle Award and it's
relevance to scoutingo today

2. Obesity among Indiana's youth
population
• Among Indiana's adolescents in grades 9 through 12
• 15.9% were overweight (> 85th and < 95th percentiles for BMI by age and sex)
• 12.8% were obese (> 95th percentile for BMI by age and sex)
• Among Indiana's children aged 2 years to less than 5 years 3
• 16.6% were overweight (85th to <95th percentile BMI-for-Age)
• 14.2% were obese (>95th percentile BMI-for-Age)
• Since 1980, obesity prevalence among children and adolescents has almost tripled.
• Washington, D.C. July 7, 2011 - Indiana was named the 15th most obese state in the country.
• Over the past 15 years, seven states have doubled their rate of obesity. Another 10 states nearly doubled
their obesity rate, with increased of at least 90 percent, and 22 more states saw obesity rates increase by
at least 80 percent
• Fifteen years ago, Indiana had an obesity rate of 18.3 percent and was ranked second most obese state in
the nation. The obesity rate in Indiana increased by 60 percent over the last 15 years.
• Ten years ago, no state had an obesity rate above 24 percent, and now 43 states have higher obesity rates
than the state that was the highest in 2000.

3. Reasons for the decline in physical
activity among youth
• After school programs: Chess
club, Rockets, Robitics Club, Science Club, etc.
• Homework: Students are bringing more work
home as the progress through the curriculum
• Video Games: XBOX, Wii, PS3, IPod, DSI, Mine
Craft
• Social Activities: Hanging out with
friends, talking on cell phones

4. Active steps being taken
• Increased awareness of the issue
• Healthier meal choices
• Fruit vs Fried Foods
• Healthier school lunch choices
• No Fast Food or vending machines in Public
Schools
• Recess / Physical Education Programs
• Sports and Recreation Programs

5. What is P. A. L. A.
• Presidential: A government backed
organization
• Active: get up, get moving, burn calories
• Lifestyle: Habits to last a lifetime
• Award: A physical incentive designed to
encourage success

6. Scouting Resources Related to
P.A.L.A.
• Cub Scout Belt Loops and Activity Pins
• Archery • Hiking
• Badminton • Ice Skating
• Basketball • Kickball
• Baseball • Roller skating
• Bicycling • Skate boarding
• Bowling • Snow Skiing and Board sports
• Fitness • Soccer
• Flag Football • Softball
• Golf • Swimming
• Gymnastics • Tennis
• Hockey • Ultimate (Frisbee)
• Horseback Riding • Volleyball

7. BSA Merit Badges
• Archery • Horsemanship
• Athletics • Kayaking
• Backpacking • Lifesaving
• Camping • Nature
• Canoeing • Orienteering
• Climbing • Orienteering
• Cycling • Personal Fitness
• Dog Care • Rowing
• Fish and Wildlife Management • Scuba Diving
• Fishing • Skating
• Fly Fishing • Small-Boat Sailing
• Forestry • Snow Sports
• Gardening • Sports
• Geocaching • Surveying
• Golf • Swimming
• Hiking • Water Sports
• Whitewater