Over the past 30 years, advances in technology and changes in peoples' lifestyles have left many adults and children living more sedentary lives sitting in front of televisions, computers, video games and mobile devices. During that time span, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled and nearly one in three children in America is overweight or obese. With cuts in federal spending to education along with competing academic standards, gym class might go by way of the dinosaur. To stop the rise in childhood obesity, strong physical education programs and lifetime physical activity and healthy food and beverage choices must be modeled at both school and home.
Childhood Obesity
According to the American Heart Association, as of 2009 nearly 10 million children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are considered obese. Some health experts estimate that by 2015, 75 percent of adults will be overweight with 41 percent obese. Almost one in four children does not participate in any free-time physical activity and the typical American youth spends about four to five hours a day watching TV, using the computer or playing video games. According to First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign, if childhood obesity is not solved, one third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives, while many others will face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and asthma.
Recommended Exercise
The American Heart Association recommends that elementary-age children take part in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day, and it is reasonable for them to get at least 30 minutes of that time in school. Nationally, it is recommended that elementary students have physical education 150 minutes per week and middle and high schoolers get 225 minutes per week.
Lack of Gym Class
Unfortunately, the lack of gym class in many schools across the country exacerbates the problem of childhood obesity. Ninety two percent of elementary schools don't have daily physical education classes year-round, and less than a quarter of high school students take daily physical education classes, notes the Clinton Foundation.
By the Numbers
Several foundations and campaigns, such as the Clinton Foundation, Let's Move! and the American Heart Association, list numerous and sometimes surprising facts and statistics about childhood obesity. Among them:
Of all U.S. deaths from major chronic diseases, 23 percent are linked to sedentary lifestyles.
A recent study showed that the plaque buildup in the neck arteries of obese children is similar to the levels seen in middle-age adults.
The US military reports that 27 percent of young Americans are too overweight to join, and around 15,000 potential recruits fail their physicals every year because they are too heavy.
The indirect cost of obesity, such as missed work days and future earnings losses, have been estimated at $56 billion per year.
Children treated for obesity are roughly three times more expensive for the health care system than children of normal weight.
Severely overweight people spend more on health care than smokers.
How Gym Class Can Help
Having a physical education program for all students that involves valid fitness, cognitive and affective assessments and has the appropriate equipment and facilities can improve the well-being and health of students. It also is recommended that physical education class requires students be active in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least half of class time and schools should not allow waivers or substitutes for physical education for students to opt out in favor of other classes or standardized tests.
References
- American Heart Association: Learning For Life Physical Education in Public Schools
- "The Plain Dealer"; As Schools' Gym Classes and Recesses Disappear, Districts Must Get Creative to Help Fight Childhood Obesity; Thomas Ott; 2010
- Let's Move! Campaign
- William J. Clinton Foundation: Facts About Childhood Obesity
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