Fusion Academy & Learning Center San Diego Promotes Healthy Living
San Diego – Dec. 13, 2010 – With a fast food restaurant on just about every main street in America, it’s no surprise that we’re facing a childhood obesity epidemic. In light of startling statistics examining the growth of childhood obesity over the past 30 years, as well as children suffering from anxiety disorders, Fusion Academy & Learning Center San Diego is introducing a comprehensive Wellness Program to help its 6th to 12th grade students make healthy lifestyle choices and more easily navigate the landmines of adolescence.
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2-19 years are obese. The report reveals that among preschool age children 2-5 years of age, obesity increased from 5 to 10.4 percent between 1976-1980 to 2007-2008 and from 6.5 to 19.6 percent among 6-11 year olds. During the same period, obesity increased from 5 to 18.1percent among adolescents aged 12-19.
In addition to childhood obesity, an alarming number of children today are diagnosed with anxiety disorders. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, anxiety disorders affect one in eight children. Research indicates that children suffering from anxiety disorders that go untreated are at a higher risk to perform poorly in school, miss out on important social experiences and engage in substance abuse.
Through its new Wellness Program, scheduled to begin January 3, Fusion Academy will run 20 sessions focusing on four separate disciplines: emotional wellness, art expression, music expression, and yoga/nutrition/meditation. The goal of this program is to embrace the entire student, as opposed to simply focusing exclusively on the child’s academic needs, so that student anxiety decreases and they learn to live more healthily.
“An attuned mind is aided by an attuned body, so we want to ensure that children and adults are equipped to maximize their physical and intellectual potential” said Michelle Rose Gilman, founder and president of Fusion Academy. “Our Wellness Program will provide participants with the building blocks necessary to reduce anxiety and improve their physical health.”
Each session of the Wellness Program, which is open to students at Fusion Academy as well as all community members, will be directed by specialists with appropriate certification or training. Cost of the 20 session program is $1,680.
A part of American Education Group’s network of customized private schools, Fusion Academy is an alternative private school offering students in grades 6-12 a unique one-to-one learning experience. With campuses in San Diego, Los Angeles and Mission Viejo, and soon in Huntington Beach, Fusion is committed to meeting student needs on every level, which includes emotionally and psychologically, as well as academically.
About Fusion Academy and Learning Center:
Fusion Academy and Learning Center offers students an alternative to the traditional classroom setting through one-to-one teaching and customized academic programs. Fusion Academy is a WASC accredited private school for grades 6-12. Through individual mentoring, teaching and custom-tailored programs, each student's unique talents are both recognized and encouraged in a positive environment. Fusion Learning Center offers one-to-one tutoring, mentoring, independent studies and test preparation, as well as a rich music and art program.