Let's get children walking or biking to school.

Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINT By Jimmy Unger For The Register-Guard

The Register-Guard, like many media outlets, is paying a great deal of well-deserved attention to the childhood obesity epidemic. On Sept. 30, both editorials (``A disturbing grade: Oregon gets a D-plus for children's well-being'' and, ``Federal nutrition data is being widely ignored'') and the business page's lead story (``Twinkies manufacturer filing for bankruptcy'') dealt with the issue. Most parents (like most health care providers) are struggling with the question of how to best tackle this problem.

As a pediatrician, I see an ever-increasing incidence of childhood obesity of ever-increasing severity. Along with weight problems, these children face complications: diabetes, low self-esteem, bone and joint problems, to name a few.

As health care providers strive to prevent or treat childhood obesity, we frequently tell our patients (and their parents) that increasing physical activity is key. For a number of reasons, this simple advice frequently doesn't get the intended results. Many parents ask: "How can I get my kid to be physically active?"

Parents asking this question often have severe time constraints on their daily schedule: rushing to get the kids to and from school and after-school activities, then homework, and finally, bed. Oh, yes, don't forget the "quality time."

Where's the time for physical activity? "No time" is the all-too-common answer.

There's no question that modern-day hustle and bustle has led to lifestyle changes that have contributed to this epidemic: Fast food replaces healthier family meals; TV and video games replace neighborhood sports and outdoor play; car trips replace walks and bike rides.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control, in the past 30 years, while the incidence of obesity has increased by two to three times, the percentage of children walking or biking to school has fallen nearly sevenfold - from 66 percent to 10 percent.

Walking and biking to school is an easy way to increase physical activity. For this reason, the Oregon Medical Association has teamed up with the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition, Oregon Safe Kids, and others to promote International Walk and Bike to School Day on Wednesday.

It started as a simple idea: Children, parents and local officials walk to school together on a specified day and promote the simple joy of walking, the health benefits of regular exercise, and the need for safe places to walk and bike. In addition, many kids and families find the daily walk or bike ride to school to be a social event to which they look forward.

Organizers and all who care about children's health hope the event will blossom into a genuine trend. As a pediatrician, I hope this small, simple intervention may be the first step in preventing or treating a serious health problem.

Dr. Jimmy Unger is chairman of the Lane County Medical Society's Community Health Committee. More information on International Walk and Bike to School Day can be obtained by calling 866-452-8300 or visiting www.walknbike2school .org.