Childhood obesity is an ongoing epidemic. Nearly a third of all school age children suffer from being overweight or obese (Perna et. al, 1594). Questions have been raised regarding the awareness of health and physical education (P.E.) in today’s school curriculum. Instilling physical activity at an early age helps create a healthier generation. Standards set forth by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (N.A.S.P.E.) provide a guideline for states to follow that ensure adequate physical activity is achieved for all students. However, state mandates may not always be a time allocated codified law. They can be nonspecific or have law that recommends rather than be a requirement. The various interpretations of the NASPE guidelines
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is essential in preventing childhood obesity and diabetes and aids in combating chronic disease and premature death in adulthood. In the article, The Association of State Law to Physical Education Time Allocation in US Public Schools , published August 2012 in the American Journal of Public Health, the authors tell us, “because obesity has been consistently associated with many cancers and policy tracking of health relevant practices has been an important activity for cancer control, the National Cancer Institute’s Physical Education---Related State Policy Classification System (PERSPCS) was created to evaluate the extent and stringency of the codified PE laws for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in relation to NASPE standards” (Perna et. al). The burden of cost associated with these illnesses is not only costly to the patient and the healthcare system, but to the overall economic state of the country via a diminished workforce. Management now amongst our youth maintains a greater likelihood of success in the adult years. PE has been identified as a prime target to improve public health (Perna …show more content…
Instilling a healthy lifestyle at a young age and continuing that reinforcement throughout the higher grade levels equates to a better chance of students making healthier lifestyle choices as an adult. While there is an influence outside of the classroom, a student spends a majority of their time in the school setting. A healthier and active adolescent leads to a healthier adult which will lessen the burden of healthcare costs, lower statistics for adult illnesses, and generate a healthier workforce within the economy. I would be interested in knowing if the advancement of hand held technology and its accessibility has changed the impression of the importance of physical education and activity in the school curriculum among the state and school leaders. While technology can be a good thing if used as a tool, it is to the demise of those that become sedentary and rely on it for entertainment and socialization. There is nothing that can substitute the interaction of humans and our surroundings. Children need the example of being active and taking that out into the world we live
is essential in preventing childhood obesity and diabetes and aids in combating chronic disease and premature death in adulthood. In the article, The Association of State Law to Physical Education Time Allocation in US Public Schools , published August 2012 in the American Journal of Public Health, the authors tell us, “because obesity has been consistently associated with many cancers and policy tracking of health relevant practices has been an important activity for cancer control, the National Cancer Institute’s Physical Education---Related State Policy Classification System (PERSPCS) was created to evaluate the extent and stringency of the codified PE laws for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in relation to NASPE standards” (Perna et. al). The burden of cost associated with these illnesses is not only costly to the patient and the healthcare system, but to the overall economic state of the country via a diminished workforce. Management now amongst our youth maintains a greater likelihood of success in the adult years. PE has been identified as a prime target to improve public health (Perna …show more content…
Instilling a healthy lifestyle at a young age and continuing that reinforcement throughout the higher grade levels equates to a better chance of students making healthier lifestyle choices as an adult. While there is an influence outside of the classroom, a student spends a majority of their time in the school setting. A healthier and active adolescent leads to a healthier adult which will lessen the burden of healthcare costs, lower statistics for adult illnesses, and generate a healthier workforce within the economy. I would be interested in knowing if the advancement of hand held technology and its accessibility has changed the impression of the importance of physical education and activity in the school curriculum among the state and school leaders. While technology can be a good thing if used as a tool, it is to the demise of those that become sedentary and rely on it for entertainment and socialization. There is nothing that can substitute the interaction of humans and our surroundings. Children need the example of being active and taking that out into the world we live