Physical Education - Where?

Physical Education Programs are on a steadily decline and in many schools nearly non-existent. This is happening at a time when obesity has reached its highest percentage in the history of the United States. Many believe that there is a direct correlation between the obesity in our nation and the continued decline of Physical Education (PE) programs in our school systems; where today only the states of Illinois and Massachusetts require PE for grades K-12.

While many agree that obesity is nearing a crisis in the United States, little is being done to curb or change it. Unfortunately, education related legislation and funding might be part of the problem i.e. No Child Left Behind (NCLB). It is not unexpected that schools would prioritize their program offerings in an attempt to align with NCLB standards. That means more time and money poured into Math and Science in order to meet the standardized testing demands levied by NCLB, to ensure your school isn’t labeled a “failing school.” Understandably, schools, like any institution, have to make these decisions knowing that offering more math and science classes equals less program opportunities in other subject areas, and NCLB directs most schools to meet standards related to core subjects and addresses little in the way of electives i.e. art, music and physical education.

Beyond the funding and course offering decisions, many large schools are fighting space problems related to physical education opportunities. Student enrollments at large schools only allow for perhaps one period of physical education per week (40 minutes), well below the suggested time of 150 to 225 minutes as per the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. In fact, recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) figures indicate that less than: 1) 4% of elementary students, 2) 8% of middle school students, and 3) 2% of high school students, are getting the required daily physical activity throughout the school year i.e. 30 to 45 minutes per day.

While experts may disagree as to the exact number of physical education minutes needed per day or week for students to remain healthy, you cannot argue the ongoing crisis of obesity in this country. Currently, around 20% of all U.S. Children are defined as obese. In 1970, this number was around 5%. Studies indicate that childhood obesity leads not only to adult obesity, but hypertension, Type-2 diabetes, depression, as well as many other disorders.

Most of us understand that today’s students have increasingly sedentary lifestyles driven by interests in video games, television and computers. We also find more and more students turning to fast food and fatty school cafeteria meals. Couple these things with the continuing decline in physical education programs, and one cannot help but predict an increase in obesity and related illnesses, both at a young age and leading into adulthood. Respective of these facts, should schools focus more resources on Physical Education Programs? Is NCLB responsible for the decline in Physical Education Programs? What needs to change to reduce obesity?