Childhood Obesity Can be Cured with Physical Education

Since 1996 childhood obesity has increased to such a dangerous level that more than 9 million children are now overweight.  One of the leading causes of this epidemic is a lack of physical activity and athletic participation.  Many children do not participate in after school athletics, so schools all around the country should make it their priority that they have some form of physical activity during school.  Schools should focus on physical education that not only gives their students the right to be healthy but help them to build healthy lifestyles that will promote lifelong habits of physical activity.

Do you want this to be your kid?!

 “Active Healthy Living: Prevention of Childhood Obesity through Increased Physical Activity,” was started by the American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP] to urge public health officials to promote increased physical activity in children and teenagers. 

A study in 2000 found that only 8 percent of American elementary schools, 6.4 percent of middle schools, and 5.8 percent of high schools with existing physical education requirements actually provided daily PE classes for all grades for the entire year. A poll of parents with children age 9 to 13 stated that 61.5 percent of children did not participate in any organized physical activities after school and 22.6 percent of children did not participate in any other non-organized physical activities after school hours.  It’s not a matter of joining a team and playing for the school you go to, you can just go outside with a few friends and get your exercise that way.   The question is not how you get your exercise it’s just that you go out and get an hour a day. While physical activity needs to be promoted at home and in the community, school is perhaps the most encompassing way for all children to benefit.

            School is one of the best places to get active and burn calories while still having fun.  While in physical education classes you can play all kinds of different sports and activities and you can you can also be surrounded by your friends. Most people go into gym classes and think, “Oh no! I have to go run the mile!” Instead think of the good times you can have with your friends while running.  The key to exercise is to make it fun. While running, grab a friend and just talk about things that have happened at school or play sports with people you get along with.  Playing sports you love with people you can have fun with and enjoy spending time with is one of the greatest ways to stay healthy and practice good health habits.  Children are becoming increasingly obese because they are physically inactive; this problem is worsened by schools cutting back on physical education classes.