The Link Between Obesity and Physical Activity in US Schools
In schools across the United States, physical education has been substantially reduced, and in some cases completely eliminated in response to budget concerns and pressures to improve academic test scores. Yet the available evidence shows that children who are physically active and fit tend to perform better in the classroom, and that daily physical education does not adversely affect academic performance. Schools can provide outstanding learning environments while improving children’s health through physical education.
Today, obesity is one of the most pressing health concerns for our children. More than one-third of children and teens, approximately 25 million kids, are overweight or obese—and physical inactivity is a leading contributor to the epidemic. The Surgeon General recommends children should engage in 60 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week, yet estimates show that only 3.8 percent of elementary schools provide daily physical education.
Type a two page double spaced paper 12 font on your opinion on this subject. Do you feel that the direction we are going now in our schools with physical education and recreation is the right way to go? Should things change back to a time where it was very common to have outdoor activities 2 sometimes 3 times a day?
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The Link Between Obesity and Physical Activity in US Schools
Obesity is currently a major public health crisis, especially in the United States, where more than one-third (around 25 million) of children and teens are classified as overweight or obese. Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases such as type-2 diabetes mellitus, cardiac complications, hypertension, and liver or kidney failure. These complications exacerbated by obesity lead to the growing mortality rates and morbidity associated with obesity. Obesity, especially childhood obesity, is a reversible condition that may be controlled through regular physical activity and the maintenance of a healthy diet. Therefore, it is safe to deduce that obesity is reversible.
I feel that the current direction that the United States is taking on reducing schools’ physical education and recreation in pursuit of improved academic performances is wrong. First, I believe that physical activity helps improve memory, cognitive abilities, and other mental processes. Furthermore, physical activity also helps in improving mental states and reducing stress and anxiety that may lead to weak academic performances. This is the first reason I feel that it is ill-judged to reduce physical activity and recreational activities within schools in the United States.
Additionally, physical activity is a known intervention in reducing obesity, where it helps to reduce weight among individuals. Physical activity and recreation also provide a pass-time that helps students interact and create social bonds that would be otherwise difficult ...