With competing priorities such as testing and tight budgets, schools today are offering fewer and fewer opportunities for physical activity. The National Association of Sport and Physical Education reports that the percentage of students who attend a daily physical education class in school dropped to 28 percent in 2003, from 42 percent in 1991.
The PE recommendation is 150 minutes per week for elementary and 225 minutes per week for middle and high school students. In reality, few schools provide daily PE for all grades throughout the entire school year. According to the CDC (SHPPS) survey, only 4 percent of elementary schools, 8 percent of middle schools and 2 percent of high schools meet the recommendations.
Progress or Promises? Action for Healthy Kids, 2008