The Need for Physical Activity and Physical Education in Our Schools

1
The Need for Physical Activity and Physical
Education in Our Schools

• Presenters Name
• Presenters Title

2
Health and achievement go hand in hand.

• An effective, long-lasting, sustainable school
  reform initiative can only succeed if it is based
  on a healthy school system. If our children,
  their families, administrators, and teachers are
  healthy, then they will come to school and, just
  as important, they will be ready and able to
  teach and to learn. . . .
• If we are serious about saving a generation of
  kids, ensuring that not one of them is left
  behind, we must see that health and achievement
  go hand in hand. Only when children are healthy
  and safe will we be able to focus on improving
  their academic performance.
• -- Pat Cooper, Superintendent,
• McComb Separate School District, Mississippi

Cooper 2003
3
Childhood obesity has reached epidemic
proportions.

• Obesity/overweight is considered a national
  epidemic.
• In the last two decades, there has been a
  threefold increase in overweight children and
  teens.
• Childrens increasingly sedentary lifestyles
  compound the problem.
• Unhealthy/sedentary lifestyles result in 100
  billion in costs and 300,000 deaths annually.

U.S. Surgeon Generals Report 2001
4
The number of overweight children in the U.S.
has grown dramatically.
CDC NHANES, JAMA. 2002 2881723-1727
5
More children are developing adult diseases,
such as Type 2 diabetes.

• Adult onset diabetes is now called type 2
  diabetes because of the sharp rise of the disease
  in children.
• In one study, type 2 diabetes in adolescents
  increased 10-fold between 1982 and 1994.
• The CDC warns that one in three U.S. children
  born in 2000 will become diabetic unless many
  more people start eating less and exercising
  more.

Pinhas-Harniel 1996, Associated Press 2003
6
This rise in disease is leading to greater health
care costs.

• Increasing incidence of disease leads to rising
  health care costs from 1979 to 1999, annual
  hospital costs for treating obesity-related
  diseases in children tripled (from 35 million to
  127 million).
• The CDC estimates that, if all physically
  inactive Americans became active, we would save
  77 billion in annual medical costs.
• Diabetes alone costs the nation 105 billion
  annuallyand this figure is expected to rise as
  the incidence of the disease rises.

Wang Dietz 2002, Pratt, Macera Wang 2000
Diabetes Research Working Group 1999
7
Childrens physical activity is declining over
time.

• Fewer than 1 in 4 children get 20 minutes of
  vigorous physical activity per week, and less
  than 1 in 4 get at least 30 minutes of physical
  activity per day.
• Over one-third of adolescents aged 12 to 17 are
  physically active less than 3 out of 7 days a
  week.

International Life Sciences Institute 1997
Action for Healthy Kids National Profile 2002
8
And physical activity declines rapidly as
children get older.

• By the time they reach their teens, nearly half
  of Americas youth are not vigorously active on a
  regular basis.
• In grade 9, 72 of students get regular physical
  activity, but by the time they reach grade 12,
  only 55 of them are physically active.
• Nearly 10 of students in grades 9-12 participate
  in no vigorous or moderate physical activity on a
  weekly basis.

CDC 1997 Action for Healthy Kids National
Profile 2002
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In short . . .

• Our nations young people are, in large measure,
  inactive, unfit, and increasingly overweight.
• Department of Health and Human Services/Department
  of Education

DHHS/DOE Report to the President 2000
10
Schools play a critical role in students fitness.

• Schools are identified as a key setting for
  change by the U.S. Surgeon Generals report.
• School serves as kids work and social world.
• Decisions and behavior of leadership have strong
  impact.
• Students need consistency between educational
  messages and real life messages.
• In sum, our schools offer an extraordinary
  opportunity to guide and shape healthy physical
  activity habits.

U.S. Surgeon Generals Office 2001
11
But activity is declining at school as well.

• 85 of students travel to school by car or bus.
  Only 13 walk or bike to school.
• Only 4.1 of states require and 22.4 recommend
  that elementary schools provide students with
  regularly scheduled recess.
• Nearly half of the nations children (45) do not
  play on sports teams during the year.

Action for Healthy Kids National Profile 2002
CDC 2002 NASPE Shape of Our Nations Children
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And participation in physical education programs
has sharply declined as well.

• From 1991 to 1999, the number of students who
  took physical education on a daily basis dropped
  from 42 to 29.
• Most high school students take only one year of
  physical education between grades 9 and 12.
• Less than a third of high school students attend
  physical education class daily.
• A quarter of the nations children do not attend
  any school physical education classes.

NASPE 2001 CDC 1999-2000 CDC 2003 Physical
activity and good nutrition Action for Healthy
Kids National Profile 2002
13
The percentage of students enrolled in PE
classes drops as children get older.
NCYFS National Child and Youth Fitness Study
YRBS National Youth Risk Behavior Survey
14
The percentage of high school students who attend
PE classes on a daily basis has declined.
CDC, National Youth Risk Behavior Survey
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Formal physical education programs have been
threatened throughout the U.S.

• No federal law requires physical education to be
  included in public schools
• Only one state enforces daily physical education
  requirements in grades K-12.
• Although most states have some mandate for
  physical education, most states require only that
  physical education be provided. Local districts
  have control over content and format.

NASPE 2001 Action for Healthy Kids National
Profile 2002
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Schools require less physical education the older
students get.
CDC, School Health Policies and Programs Study
2000
17
Many high school students are not enrolled in
physical education classes.
Percentage of high school students who are not
enrolled in P.E. classes, 1999
CDC/NCCDP 2002
18
Physical activity and education does not weaken
academic performance.

• Evidence suggests that time spent in physical
  education does not decrease learning in other
  subjects. Youth who spend less time in other
  subjects to allow for regular physical education
  have been shown to do equally well or better in
  academic classes.
• Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and
  Sports

Presidents Council, 1999
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In fact, physical education helps to create more
well-rounded students.

• Physical education plays a critical role in
  educating the whole student. Research supports
  the importance of movement in educating both mind
  and body. The healthy, physically active student
  is more likely to be academically motivated,
  alert, and successful. Throughout the school
  years, quality physical education can promote
  social, cooperative, and problem-solving
  competencies.
• National Association for Sport and Physical
  Education

NASPE Physical Education
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Exercise and fitness are linked to academic
achievement.

• Physical activity and physical education lead to
• Improved self-esteem and mental health
• Reduced anxiety and stress in teens
• Better attendance rates
• A more positive attitude to school
• Superior academic achievement
• The physical well-being of students has a direct
  impact on their ability to achieve academically.
  We now have the proof we've been looking for
  students achieve best when they are physically
  fit.
• California State Superintendent of Public
  Instruction

Cooper 2003 Sallis et al 1999 Keays Allison
1995 Shephard 1996 NASPE 2002 NASPE 2001
Shephard et al 1984 Shephard 1997 Symons et al
1997 NASPE 2001 NASPE 2002
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Educational leaders understand the link between
health and learning.

• Physically active, healthy kids learn better!
• National Association for Sport and Physical
  Education
• Students who dont get enough exercise and have
  proper nutrition simply dont perform as well
  academically.
• National Association of Elementary School
  Principals (NAESP) and National Association of
  Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
• Health does equal achievement.
• Former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher

NASPE 2001 Ferrandino and Tirozzi 2002 Satcher
and Bradford 2003
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Students and parents want more physical activity
and physical education.

• A majority of student leaders (72) feel schools
  should make physical activity for all students a
  priority, with 81 calling for more students to
  get involved in physical activity and 56
  stressing the importance of having more physical
  education classes.
• The vast majority of parents (95) think
  physical education should be part of a school
  curriculum for all students in grades K-12.

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National groups call for physical activity and
physical education.

• Former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher
• daily physical education
• National Association for Sport and Physical
  Education (NASPE)
• standards-based physical education as an integral
  part of K-12 education
• CDC
• sequential daily physical education with students
  active for a large percentage of class time
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• daily physical education for all students
• U.S. Department of Education
• daily physical education for preK-12

Satcher 2002 NASPE 2001 CDC 1997 Healthy
People 2010 2000 DHHS/DOE Report to the
President 2000
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The message is clear.

• Physical education is an integral part of the
  total education of a child.
• National Association of School Boards (NASBE)
• Improving childrens health and well-being
  contributes to their success in school.
• National Association of Elementary School
  Principals (NAESP)
• School physical education programs are an
  important part of the overall education process.
• American College of Sports Medicine
• Physical education is an essential part of the
  total curriculum.
• National Association for Sport and Physical
  Education
• Academic achievement begins with a studentwho
  is healthy and alert.
• National Association of Secondary School
  Principals (NASSP)

Bogden 2000 NAESP 2000 NASPE 2001
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The task is clear.

• To pass legislation that discourages
  participation in physical activity in the name of
  having more time for academics is shortsighted.
  Policymakers must create laws that will allow
  schools to emphasize physical and health
  education during the school day. . . . Not only
  will it enhance their academic success, it will
  also promote healthy lifestyles.
• Vincent L. Ferrandino, Executive Director, NAESP,
  Gerald N. Tirozzi, Executive Director, NASSP

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National, state, and local programs are working
across the U.S.
Examples of some programs

• National programs
• Action for Healthy Kids
• Coordinated School Health Programs
• Healthy Hearts for Kids
• Healthy Kids Challenge
• Kids Running/Run to Read and Write
• Kids Walk-to-School Program
• Operation FitKids
• President's Challenge Physical Activity and
  Fitness Awards Program
• Project Fit America
• SPARK Physical Education

• State programs
• 51 Action for Healthy Kids state teams (in all
  states D.C.)
• California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness
  Program (CANFit)
• Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum (EPEC)
  (Michigan)
• Healthy Hawaii Initiative
• Healthy Kids Learn Better, Oregon School Boards
  Association
• Local programs
• Fitness Center, Chula Vista Middle School
  (California)
• KEEP 57, Wilson Central School District (New
  York)
• Kids on the Move (Atlanta)
• Move Across America (Kansas)
• Movin Schools (Wisconsin)
• Success-Oriented P.E. (Seattle)

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In conclusion . . .

• Achieving optimal health status is closely
  linked to success in all life domains, and a
  comprehensive education that addresses mental,
  emotional, spiritual and physical elements is
  essential. Physical education is a key component
  of such an education.
• National Association for Sport and Physical
  Education
• Exercise and recreation are as necessaryas
  reading. I will say rather more necessary because
  health is worth more than learning.
• Thomas Jefferson

NASPE 2001
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Call to ActionDavid Satcher, MD, PhD, Chair,
Action for Healthy Kids
Academic achievement and good nutrition and
exercise, in fact, are not mutually exclusive.
Studies continue to confirm that when children's
and adolescents' basic nutritional and fitness
needs are met, they learn better. Physical
activity is an integral part of this equation,
because providing more time for increased
physical activity (by reducing class time) leads
to increased test scores. Good nutrition and
proper exercise in schools can help to bolster
academic achievement.
Satcher 2002
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To find extensive resources on physical activity
and physical education, visit the AFHK website.

• www.ActionForHealthyKids.org

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Additional slides
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Commitment to Change Physical Activity and
Physical Education

• Provide age-appropriate and culturally sensitive
  instruction in health education and physical
  education that help students develop the
  knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors to
  adopt, maintain and enjoy healthy eating habits
  and a physically active lifestyle.
• Provide students in pre-kindergarten through
  grade 12 with behavior-focused nutrition
  education integrated into the curriculum that is
  interactive and teaches the skills they need to
  adopt healthy eating habits.
• Ensure that meals offered through all school
  feeding programs meet federal nutrition
  standards.
• Adopt policies ensuring that all foods and
  beverages available on school campuses and at
  school events contribute toward eating patterns
  that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines
  for Americans.
• Provide food options that are low in fat,
  calories and added sugars, such as fruits,
  vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or nonfat
  dairy foods.
• Ensure that healthy snacks and foods are provided
  in vending machines,school stores and other
  venues within the schools control.

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Commitment to Change Physical Activity and
Physical Education

• Prohibit student access to vending machines,
  school stores, and other venues that contain
  foods of minimal nutritional value and compete
  with healthy school meals in elementary schools
  and restrict access in middle, junior and high
  schools.
• Provide an adequate amount of time for students
  to eat school meals schedule lunch periods at
  reasonable hours around midday.
• Provide all children, from pre-kindergarten
  through grade 12, with quality daily physical
  education that helps develop the knowledge,
  attitudes, skills, behaviors and confidence
  needed to be physically active for life.
• Provide daily recess periods for elementary
  school students, featuring time for unstructured
  but supervised active play.
• Provide adequate co-curricular physical activity
  programs, including fully inclusive intra-mural
  programs and physical activity clubs.
• Encourage the use of school facilities for
  physical activity programs offeredby the school
  and/or community-based organizations outside of
  school hours.

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Obesity is rising among U.S. adults 1996
CDC 2003 Nutrition and physical activity
34
Obesity is rising among U.S. adults 1997
CDC 2003 Nutrition and physical activity
35
Obesity is rising among U.S. adults 1998
CDC 2003 Nutrition and physical activity
36
Obesity is rising among U.S. adults 1999
CDC 2003 Nutrition and physical activity
37
Obesity is rising among U.S. adults 2000
CDC 2003 Nutrition and physical activity
38
Obesity is rising among U.S. adults 2001
CDC 2003 Nutrition and physical activity
39
Recess is crucial to the development of children.

• For the elementary school students, recess
  provides an opportunity for needed physical
  activity. Unstructured time also contributes to
  creativity, cooperation, and learning about
  social interaction. Play is an essential element
  of childrens social development.
• National Association for Sport and Physical
  Education

NASPE 2001
40
Recess is linked to academic performance.

• Research shows that play enhances cognitive
  development children learn through play.
• According to early childhood experts, Children
  develop intellectual constructs and cognitive
  understandings through the hands-on,
  manipulative, exploratory behavior that occurs
  during play. . . .
• Research finds that children can remember more,
  focus better, and regulate their own behavior
  better in play than in any other context.

NAECP 2002 Guddemi et al 1999
41
But recess is being eliminated at schools across
the nation.

• 97 of elementary schools provide recess for at
  least some students, 71 provide it for all
  students
• Only 4 of states require
• But 40 of elementary schools in the United
  States have reduced, eliminated, or are
  considering eliminating recess

CDC SHPPS 2002 Action for Healthy Kids National
Profile 2002 NAECP 2002
42
Before-/after-school programs provide more
opportunities for physical activity.

• The CDC and Healthy People 2010 recommends
• giving students access to school buildings and
  community facilities outside of school hours
• Using these before-/after-school programs to
  reach out to a greater range of students
  specific adolescent and young adult populations,
  such as racial and ethnic minority groups,
  females, personal with disabilities, and
  low-income groups.
• 49 of schools offer intramural activities or
  physical activity clubs for students. Among these
  schools, 15provide transportation home for
  students who participate.
• 99 of co-ed middle/junior high and senior high
  schools offer interscholastic sports.

CDC Kids Media 2000 Healthy People 2010 CDC
SHPPS 2000
43
Schools, districts, and states across the country
are exploring programs that work.

• Best Friends (Maryland) After-school
  self-confidence program for girls features
  physical fitness classes
• School-based fitness center (California) Middle
  school creates free fitness center for students
  and parents
• Kids on the Move (Atlanta) After-school program
  integrates physical activity with
  health/nutrition education
• U Move with the Starzz (Utah) Middle school-aged
  kids work with members of the WNBA Utah Starzz
  basketball team to integrate physical activity
  and healthy behaviors into their daily lives.
• CATCH Kids After-School Program (Texas) Research
  study examining physical activity and nutrition
  in an after-school program.
• Kids Walk to School (CDC) National initiative
  encourages kids and parents to walk to school

Best Friends Foundation Neely 2003 Childrens
Healthcare ILSI PAN program CDC 2002
44
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ogden, J. 2000. Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn
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45
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46
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