EDUCATION

Physical Education, Academic success and Obesity

Physical Education, Academic success and Obesity

Introduction

Physical Activity is an important part of student life. It keeps an individual healthy and on his or her toes. It is not only good for the body of an individual, but it also helps children and student to succeed in their academics too. They get a chance to take some time out from their studies and refresh their mind and bodies. Physical activities like recess are a part of school routine.

Discussion

Numerous reports have identified significant health benefits from regular participation in physical activity (PA) during childhood. According to many studies, many health issues like high cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes are caused because of the lack of physical acivity or exercise from the childhood. Schools play an important role in this regard. They can actively engage students in physical activity through exercise and other sporting events. Doctors recommend children to engage in physical activity for atleast 60 minutes daily (Biddle, S. J. H, Gorely, T., & Stensel, D. J, 2004).

Most of the schools allocate some time to physical education and activity of the student, but the frequency and duration of such classes must be enhanced, because Schools hardly have one or two sessions for physical activity in a month. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NAPSE, 2006), worked on a paper mentioning the importance of physical education. It stressed the necessity for Schools to allocate proper time for daily recess that allow students to be physically active. It provides students with an opportunity to engage students in physical and mental development. John and Ha (1999) told found that students who engage in more physical activity are more motivated and encouraged towards work. Another study conducted by Ridgers and Stratton found that less than 45% of the children were physically active, because they were not used to of it and schools must provide appropriate equipments and base that ensures that they are physically active.

State and the Government ensures that Children are actively engaged in physical activity, hence the state of North Carolina passed a policy (HSP-S-000), that mandates students in K-5 to receive 150 minutes of physical activity per week. According to the study, boys are more active than girls during the time spent on physical activity. However, Scruggs, Beveridge and Watson in 2003, studied that providing a recess environment can enhance childrens physical activity regardless of gender. It is important to provide appropriate equipment and environment to enhance physical activity Bogdan, R. C, & Biklen, S. K, 2006).

Schools are developing new systems, where they now assess the performance of students not only through academics, but also through their participation in extracurricular activities including all the physical activities. American Association for Child's Right to play have assessed that, since 1989 most schools have abandoned recess and physical activity classes, which is making an impact on the physical and academic development of students. Schools object high duration for recess because they ...