Utah and the rest of the nation need to do much more to provide adequate physical education programs for schoolchildren, who apparently are not getting near the amount of exercise that past generations got. The latest statistics regarding fitness in America are indeed disturbing for all age groups, but they are particularly disturbing for children who are developing physical and dietary habits to last a lifetime.
In 1992, 12.7 percent of Americans were obese, loosely defined as 30 or more pounds overweight. That figure unfortunately has risen considerably in the past few years. In 1999, 18.9 percent of Americans were obese. One in five youngsters are considered to be overweight, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
That rise seems to correspond with a continuing de-emphasis on physical education. As reported in Monday's Deseret News, perhaps fewer than 10 of Utah's 470 elementary schools have physical education specialists. Most schools rely on teachers who have little training in physical education.
Obesity is preventable. It ranks behind smoking as a preventable cause of death. At least 300,000 Americans die each year because of physical inactivity and poor nutrition, according to the Surgeon General. In addition, others become unnecessarily dependent on caregivers in their old age because of lack of physical activity.
Utah's education system must re-evaluate health and physical education offerings in its public schools. Over time, schools nationwide have scaled back physical education requirements, making it even more difficult for young people to keep weight off. At the same time, computer use has escalated, which may contribute greatly to a sedentary lifestyle among teenagers and college-age adults.
The state office of education is taking pro-active measures to improve physical activities for young students. It is working on a new PE core curriculum that works physical activity into lessons for kindergarten through second grade. The middle school and high school PE core curriculum is also being refined to improve physical activity at those levels, as well.
Healthy students make for better students. Exercise, just like reading and writing, needs to have a place at school.