There are so many issues that arise from a lack of physical education and time for physical activity. From the impact on student behavior to student achievement, this is a topic that could rage on for many, many blogs. I decided to think about how it contributes to the growing amount of obese children in Illinois. I looked into this at the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and found an article called The Role of Schools in Preventing Childhood Obesity which outlined 10 key components for schools to help address the problem of childhood obesity. The article was clear that schools were not the sole bearers of responsibility in obesity prevention, however they have research that indicates increased academic achievement and reduced obesity in schools that have implemented these components. Four of these components hit home for me: access to quality health education, access to quality physical education programs, increased opportunities for physical activity for students, and providing quality, appealing meals for students.
Too often, schools are forced to cut out things labeled as "extras" in education such as music, art, and physical education. I know that in my situation, my gym teacher cannot possibly incorporate the necessary amount of health and physical activity in one 40 minute period per week. We have some sports teams that are available for students after school, but these limit the amount of students that can join to those available at that time of day and those who keep a "C" average in their schoolwork. These activities are also limited by the amount of teachers who are willing or able to dedicate their time to sponsor one of these activities. In addition, my students are fed some of the most disgusting meals I have ever seen at lunch. Most students choose not to eat at all. I don't blame them. I read another report from the CDC that showed some contributing factors in Illinois' obesity rate. The 2007 Illinois Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that 13% of Illinois high school students are obese. 25% took no physical education classes at all. 52% do not meet the recommended levels of daily physical activity. 79% do not eat the recommended amount of servings for fruits and vegetables per day.
Clearly, Illinois' students are headed in the wrong direction. Whether they want to or not, schools need to start taking action to help reverse this trend. In my opinion, we are going to need more funding for "extra" programs and more time in the day to start addressing these issues. One idea I found in the article A Solution "Fit" for Internet Generations showed some creative thinking for helping students achieve more physical activity. This article showed a pilot program that incorporated an online physical education component for high schoolers in Indiana and Tennessee. Both states showed that this helped students become more active. Students were also more likely to be engaged in it because it was in an online format. The program used was called GoTrybe. Students log in and create an avatar for themselves. It functions sort of like any incentive reading site where students can learn about health and wellness and build their own workouts using real video clips that they can follow to earn points. Points are used to personalize your avatar and the like. It may not be feasible for every school or district, but it represents some creativity in schools trying to address the issue of childhood obesity.
The center for disease control lays out steps that can help teacher and students to help control and address obesity. The suggestions that they posted are wonderful and if used correctly in a school setting would help children to lose weight. http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/KeyStrategies/action.htm
ReplyDelete"The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, going from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.0% in 2006. The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.6%." Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Flegal KM. High Body Mass Index for Age Among US Children and Adolescents, 2003-2006. JAMA. 2008;299(20):2401-2405.
The epidemic of childhood obesity is prevalent at my school. The breakfast and lunch of many "inner city champions" is flaming hots, candy, and a soda. I find that a major problem is the lack of stores that sell produce. Every corner store sells liquor, candy, and nick nacks. Communities need more stores that sell produce so children can substitute candy and soda with fruit and juice.
I too have taught in schools where the food served is nothing short of gruel, however, I wonder, what do we teach our students when we "don't blame them" for not eating? How can we expect our students to learn, when the food the are given and/or choose to eat isn't nutritious? What if that's the "best" meal they get all day? Where to do we find the balance as teachers?
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to have a regular physical education program in CPS that would actually meet the standards required by the state. In light of the lack of school funding, though, I do not see this happening any time soon. Where would we get the money to ensure quality programs for our students? Unfortunately, I think PE (along with art, music, or anything 'extra') is last on the list for funding for our schools from the politicians. How can we change this mind set of our politicians and get the money we need for these programs?
ReplyDeleteIn this blog you discuss the impact of the lack of physical education and obesity in depth. I agree 100 % with the need for physical education in the public schools for the health aspect of the topic. I would just like to add that physical education and physical fitness not only benefits the Childs physical well-being, but there academic abilities as. Students that are in good physical shape tend to perform better academically then there unfit classmates. Based on the results of the study, The Impact of Physical Activity and Obesity on Academic Achievement Among Elementary Students “there was a relationship between students’ BMI, physical activity, and their academic achievement levels. A positive relationship existed between physical activity and academic achievement. In other words, students that maintained a higher level of physical activity maintained higher grades and learned at a faster rate than those students who were less physically active. Conversely, a negative relationship was observed between obesity, as rated by the BMI, and academic achievement. In other words, obese students performed below their more physically fit counterparts regarding academic achievement.”
ReplyDeleteObesity is a great concern of American society. Now, we are looking at very young children that are reaching obesity weight. I feel physical activity and good eating habits are ways to combat this dilemma. Children need to move around at least an hour a day. It does not have to be at one time, but perhaps two sessions of 30 minutes. It is sad that physical education has taken the back burner like so many other important "extras". Personally, I feel physical education is very important in education because children learn how to take care of their bodies, they learn they value of exercise, and they get to unleash some of their energy which can help them in their studies.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are sports teams and so forth, but many children do not qualify to make the team or are not interested in joing the team, so the sports team are not a good resource for the vast majority of the population. Besides, children should not have to make a team in order to get consistent exercise. Everyone needs to get up and move around sometimes and children are no exception.
My kids eat the same breakfast of "inner city champions"! I can count 5 liquor stores within blocks of my school, but couldn't name another type of food store in the same area if I tried. Sad to say, but these out-of-school factors do have a great effect on students and their academic achievement as well as their health!
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