PE in our nations schools: Health community commentary

I ran across a nice piece entitled: PE in Our Nation’s Schools A case of "many children left behind" and a nice "FIT" for health care by Dr. Mike McGee on the Health Commentary website.

His position is that it is time to take on the issue of the lack of physical education in schools, which more and more advocates are characterizing as a public health issue. As more of a typical child's school day is given over to math or reading instruction, time for physical activity--recess or physical education -- has all but evaporated in many schools. A number of education and public health advocates are quite concerned about the public health implications of childhood obesity coupled with the erosion of physical/health education."

The article addresses the childhood obesity crisis, and cites data from the CDC and public policy reports on the issue. In conclusion the article looks at " The Fit Kids Act" legislation now before congress and concludes, "The Fit Kids Act sounds like a great "fit" for advancing this nation's preventive health.

Related Research Citations:
Learning First Alliance: Strengthening Public Schools for Every Child
Status of Overweight Kids in America.
Exercise and Childhood Obesity
2006 Shape of the nation report: Status of physical education in the USA
S.2173, The FIT Kids Act.

The Real Story Behind Obesity.

Obesity trend slowing??

A recent report is suggesting that after a 20 year growth in obesity statistics it is finally leveling off. The proportion of US children and adolescents who were unusually heavy for their height rose by about 20 per cent from 1999 to 2004, but didn't change between 2003 and 2006.
The most recent statistic is that 32% are overweight obese, compared to 29% in 1999.

Let's keep this trend at a halt by keeping kids active this summer!

Suggested activities are:

1) Riding bikes
2) Swimming
3) A youth league such as baseball, basketball, dance or gymnastics

* and make sure the kids stay hydrated!



These latest figures are from Cynthia Ogden and colleagues at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Hyattsville, Maryland, who surveyed 8000 young people (Journal of the American Medical Association, vol 299, p 2401)

Non-Competitive Play Leads To More Physical Activity In Children

A new study from Pediatrics June 08 found that non-competitive games resulted in more physically active children when compare to competitive games. It seems that most competitive games (included in the study) involved games of elimination which limited participation time. More students reported enjoying participating in games of elimination however.

"This study highlights the importance of quality over quantity in a physical activity sessions for children," Researcher Bruggeman said. "It is important to promote non-elimination games to increase physical activity participation, but also important to monitor levels of enjoyment to foster a healthy, fun environment in youth."

More on physical activity and games of elimination......

How to increase preschooler's physical activity

Relationships between the home environment and physical activity and dietary patterns of preschool children was reported in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Journal last month.

They found that 3 factors influenced the amount of children's physical activity at home. 1. parental physical activity, 2. size of backyard, and 3. amount of outdoor play equipment.

Preschoolers in Family Care Homes Need More Physical Activity
In a related study according to research released Friday at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), privately owned and operated family child care homes, as the second largest child care provider, may need to assess the opportunities and programs for preschoolers to be active based on these results.

When the children were not napping, most of their activities were sedentary. On average, 264 of their 330 daily minutes (excluding nap time) were inactive. Light physical activity was achieved just a portion of their day, at around 36.5 minutes, with moderate activities at only about 14 minutes. Vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous activities combined were just approximately 18 minutes.

As a result of the findings, author Stewart Trost, Ph.D. stated, "Getting programs in place to help private care providers and building awareness about boosting these kids' activity is important, and can be an early intervention in getting them active for later stages in their growth and development."

More on preschool physical activity study....

Other posts on preschool physical activity

Barriers to Physical Activity in Child Care Centers Identified

Creating a better playground

Physical Education for the Body and Brain

The Ventura County Star ran a series of articles on physical education, physical activity and childhood obesity. See links below.........

Body-Brain Connection
According to Dr. Levin, medical director for the Ventura County Public Health Department, kids who play hard every day may be making their brains, as well as their bodies, stronger. Researchers have found that children who exercise on a regular basis have more neural activity in the frontal areas of their brains. This serves as evidence that children who are physically active may be better able to organize schoolwork, do class projects and learn mathematics.

Quality PE Matters
Parents are encouraged to provide daily opportunity for physical fitness in the home routine, but school may be the only place that a child consistently engages in regular physical activity. This daily physical activity is critical for a child's physical, mental and emotional success. Studies have shown the importance of physical fitness in educating both mind and body. When children learn the value of leading an active lifestyle, this will have a positive impact on both academic success and the physical and emotional wellness. For many children, this opportunity is the physical education program provided at school.

Healthy Choices Explored
Most of us as parents focus on how well our child does in their math, English and science classes. We check their scores, compare it to the norms and then take action if necessary. We visit with the teacher to see what help is needed and provide extra work if required. Yet, as the Greeks recognized long ago, physical activity goes hand in hand with learning. Without physical activity, the learning process is impaired. Do we as parents take physical activity as seriously as we should?

Mattel Announces Continuation of Grant Program to Benefit Children

Deadline for Applications: July 15, 2008

Mattel and the Mattel Children's Foundation have announced they will continue the Mattel Domestic Grantmaking Program, which provides funding for organizations benefiting children in the United States.

Mattel's funding priorities include: programs that directly and effectively impact children with demonstrated needs (physical, financial, emotional, and health- related); preferences to programs with demonstrated results; and organizations that use creative and innovative methods to address a locally defined need directly impacting children.

Preference will be given to organizations or programs that align with Mattel's philanthropic priorities:

1. Learning -- Increasing access to education for under- served children and, in particular, innovative strategies to promote and address literacy;

2. Health -- Supporting the health and well- being of children, with particular emphasis on promoting healthy, active lifestyles; and

3. Girl Empowerment -- Promoting self- esteem in young girls, up to age 12.

Applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax- exempt public charity organizations (or have a fiscal sponsor with tax- exempt status) and must directly serve children in communities within the U.S. Grants
Mattel Grants will range from $5,000 to $25,000 each for one fiscal year. Funds may be applied to programs or general operating costs.

Peaceful Playgrounds Receives Top Honors

Nationally Rated Best in Class
A panel of experts representing 27 national organizations and government agencies gave the Peaceful Playgrounds Physical Activity Program their highest rating of excellent! Their Best in Class Award noted the program brought about "whole school change."

Peaceful Playgrounds received the award for addressing a number of national physical activity standards and Action for Healthy Kids Goals.

1. Provide daily recess periods for elementary school students, featuring time for unstructured but supervised active play.
2. Encourage the use of school facilities for physical activity programs offered by the school and/or community-based organizations outside of school hours.

These goals are met as Peaceful Playgrounds is a recess and after school program described best in April 2003 Parent Teachers Organization magazine as " Peaceful Playgrounds concept takes a resource most playgrounds already have-open space-and transforms blacktops and fields into play areas for different age groups with activities such as tetherball, wall ball and Frisbee golf."

Various research studies on Peaceful Playgrounds indicates that students were more physically active and drawn to the recess markings thus indicating that behavior was effected. -Behavior- MVPA increased (evidence playground observation) -Knowledge-students acquired knowledge in game rules, and sports skills (evidence game participation) -Attitude- Attitude changes in a decrease in perception of bullying incidents ( documented in CA Healthy Kids Survey) -Policy changes have varied per school site. Most policy changes occur in the recess reinstatements. -School Environment . Changes in physical environment documented in the playground repainting and adding games. Emotional environment changes as students report feeling safer in a "peaceful environment." evidence recess surveys pre & post implementation of Peaceful Playgrounds).

Hawaii's food targets fit

"Ultimately, at the end of the day, we are making decisions that benefit all students," said Hawaii DOE Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto. She was speaking about Hawaii's recent legislation that requires physical activity and makes dramatic changes in the way school lunches are prepared and served. Over the next four years schools are required to phase out foods and drinks high in fat and sugar and will be promoting more healthy food choices. They will be required to provide educational lessons in the importance of physical activity and healthy nutrition choices.

Hawaii's New Nutritional standards for food on campus
All snack and beverage items served or sold on school property, including fundraising items, must meet the following standards:

Based on manufacturer’s nutritional data or nutrient facts labels (per serving).
TOTAL FAT No more than 8 grams
SATURATED FAT No more than 2 grams
TRANS FAT 0 grams
CALORIES No more than 200
SODIUM No more than 200 milligrams
SUGAR No more than 8 grams
DIETARY FIBER More than 2 grams
ALL BEVERAGES Not to exceed 12 ounces, except for water and milk.
PRODUCTS CONTAINING 2% MILK FAT OR MORE Not to exceed 8 ounces
Source: State of Hawaii

Sound like an interesting idea? Check out the Peaceful Playgrounds We Count Walking Program with lessons on nutrition and physical activity.

Other blogs on school nutrition and fitness.

Recess Before Lunch: Breaking with Tradition

Olympic hopefuls inspire kids to get up and get moving

Free Nutrition and Physical Activity Materials

The Go Healthy Challenge

School Tube Video: Peaceful Playgrounds

Peaceful Playgrounds attended the National Elementary School Principals' Conference last month in Nashville, TN. During the conference a new exhibitor and NAESP partner School Tube interviewed Andrea Bossenmeyer from Peaceful Playgrounds.

School Tube Video of Peaceful Playgrounds.

Click to Request An Information Packet

AZ to Mandate Recess

AZ lawmakers to decide if recess should be mandatory By Howard FischerCapitol Media Services Tucson, Arizona |

PHOENIX — State lawmakers are weighing whether to elevate recess to the same level as readin’, writin’ and 'rithmetic as required subjects.
Legislation awaiting state House action this week would require schools to provide at least 30 minutes of recess each day for students in grades one through six on top of the minimum 20 minutes they now get for lunch. But the fate of the measure is uncertain. It has drawn objections from some school officials who insist there isn’t enough time in a day to teach kids what they need, without adding a mandatory.HB 2037 cleared the Senate last week. But the 17-10 vote showed several senators are siding with the districts.

Barriers to Physical Activity in Child Care Centers Identified

A new study on outdoor physical activity in preschool children identified some unexpected barriers. “It’s things we never expected, from flip flops, mulch near the playground, children who come to child care without a coat on chilly days, to teachers talking or texting on cell phones while they were supposed to be supervising the children,” according to Kristen Copeland, M.D., lead author of the study which was funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. She noted that because there are so many benefits of physical activity for children – from prevention of obesity, to better concentration and development of gross motor skills – it’s important to know what barriers to physical activity may exist at child-care centers. Approximately 56% of 3-6 year olds spend time in preschools and child care centers.

“We found several previously unreported barriers that meant kids had to stay inside, including inappropriate footwear such as flip flops and inappropriate clothing for the weather,” said Dr. Copeland. In some child care centers, if one child in the group shows up without a coat on a chilly day, she noted, that means the whole group has to stay inside. Even more surprising to the researchers was the fact that the child-care staff members said some parents appear to intentionally keep their children’s coats (or send children without coats) so they’d have to stay inside, which staff attributed to parents’ concerns about the child getting injured or dirty, or a having a cold that may be exacerbated by cold weather. Just as in the case of barrier to physical activity in school age children, preschool teachers also reported pressure to teach students "academics" was interfering as well.

"Playground surfacing or 'mulch' was also a concern of day care staff” said Dr. Copeland. “Many said that the kids eat the mulch, or use it as weapons, or it gets caught in their shoes. It also requires constant upkeep. It’s certainly not something that we had anticipated as an issue, but judging by the amount of and intensity of the discussions among child care teachers, it really is.”

The study presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 5, was conducted at 34 child care centers in Cincinnati.

Additional information can be found at www.cincinnatichildrens.org.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-05/cchm-ffm050108.php

Oklahoma moves to increase physical activity in schools

New legislation in Oklahoma has passed doubling the amount of class time devoted to physical activity includeing: physical education, exercise programs, fitness breaks, wellness and nutrition education for the state's youngest students. The bill calls for an increase from 60 minutes a week to 120 minutes a week. The requirement will apply to students in kindergarten through the fifth grade.

The measure was approved by the Senate on Tuesday and now goes to Gov. Brad Henry.

Policy makers acknowledged an obligation to do all they can to reverse a growing epidemic of childhood obesity.

Hot tip for playground safety

With warm weather just around the corner it makes sense to start thinking about shade for students. Harbour View Elementary School in Summerfield, Florida is doing just that. They have installed a canopy which is hurricane proof and blocks UV rays over the kindergarten playground structure. Kindergarten teacher, Melinda Boatright commented that its working, "We don't see those red, flushed cheeks like we used to."

"The canopies provide a safer and more comfortable place to play," said Zanetti School Board Chairperson, adding that burns from the metal or mats have now been eliminated, as well as the potential for sunburns. "They're fabulous." The estimated cost of the canopies installed at all district elementary schools is approximately $15,000 each. An added bonus is that the P.E. program is using the space to teach physical education on hot days.

Something to think about especially considering that young kids don't sweat nearly enough to cool themselves AND kids rarely self regulate play on hot days making them at risk for heat exhaustion.

Have a ball! Children promoting physical activity

Wilson & Hartwell, ages 7 & 9, are taking action in trying to reduce childhood obesity in their state. Mississippi is known for having some of the worst childhood obesity statistics in the country.

Their idea is simple. Give every elementary age child in the state a ball.

Research has shown that giving children consumable equipment will endorse moment and physical activity.

They started their mission in January and have already donated over 3500 balls!

Peaceful Playgrounds supports physical activity and has equipment packages that you can purchase for school recess or physical education class. Now let's all get moving!!

Neos : Super Sized Playground Electronic Game

Kinetic. Explosive. Interactive. NEOS moves at the speed of light. It's Challenging........ The world's newest electronic sport is an electronic game for the heart and lungs—not just the thumbs. It's a giant video looking game with all the bells and point possibilities of a hand held but this game gets kids hearts pumping and pounding.

Free Nutrition and Physical Activity Materials

Eat Smart. Play Hard materials are a great free resource from the USDA.

Eat Smart. Play Hard.TM provides practical tools to help you motivate children and their caregivers to eat healthy and be physically active. Messages and materials are fun and based on MyPyramid and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

What should kids and parents eat and do for good health? The answer is just a “click” away at USDA’s new Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ web pages for kids and parents. The kids’ web page provides interactive learning and skill-building experiences in a virtual community setting. The web page encourages and motivates kids to make better lifestyle choices using kid-friendly entertaining techniques. In others words, the web page is fun!

Related posts:
Making Food Fun and Mighty Moves

Pedometers spur physical activity

Physical Education and Physical Activity: Food for Thought

Lawmakers Want Kids In P.E. Class Despite Cash Problems
Sarasota Herald-Tribune Published: April 6, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Florida lawmakers thought reintroducing physical education to the state's public schools was going to be no sweat. Turns out, it's an ongoing workout.


Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards for Physical Education
for Physical Education and are designed to describe what students should know and ... preservice preparation and continuing education of physical education ...

15 Ways to Combat Childhood Obesity by Making Fitness a Family ...
But with America’s childhood obesity epidemic growing worse every year—and with fast food meals and sedentary TV-and-computer pastimes the societal norm—you worry about their future. In a world set up to make kids fat, how can you make ...

Physical activity improves academic performance
Business Gazette - Gaithersburg,MD,USA
It’s true that the primary responsibility of schools is to educate students, and physical education is a key part of learning (‘‘Students need more gym time ...

SOPLAY instrument for Observing Kids At Play

At Peaceful Playgrounds we often receive phone calls asking for an instrument that schools and/or researchers can use to assess physical activity. We most often refer these folks to Thom McKenzie Ph.D. at San Diego State University (CA) and his SOPLAY Instrument which is a system for observing play and leisure activity in youth.

SOPLAY is a validated direct observation tool for assessing physical activity and associated environmental characteristics in free play settings (e.g., recess and lunch at school).

SOPLAY provides objective data on the number of participants and their physical activity levels during play and leisure opportunities in targeted areas. Separate scans are made for males and females, and simultaneous entries for contextual characteristics of areas including their accessibility, usability, and whether or not supervision, organized activities, and equipment are provided. The predominant type of activity engaged in by area users is also recorded (e.g., basketball, dance).

The Go Healthy Challenge

Nickelodeon, Alliance for a Healthier Generation and American Heart Association have teamed together to create the Go Healthy Challenge.

You can learn about healthy snacks and pledge your reason for taking the challenge.

There are videos, nutrition information, and much more...All designed with kids in mind! Spread the word about this fun kids site.

Saucony Run For Good Grant

Saucony has been keeping up on the research that notes that 4 out of 5 children will carry the weight from adolescence to adulthood, which results in health problems.

The Saucony Run For Good Grant is open to communities and non-profits that initiate and support running and fitness programs for kids.