Physical Education vs. Childhood Obesity: Does Your Child's School Measure Up?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - By now, most parents know that good nutrition and regular exercise are keys to preventing childhood obesity. But helping children develop a healthy lifestyle is easier said than done. Jack Kern, a clinical associate professor in kinesiology at the University of Arkansas, advises parents that children who participate in a well designed school physical education program can build healthy habits and develop skills they can use for a lifetime of wellness and fitness.

Kern, who oversees health and physical education students during their school internships, teaches his students to plan effective physical education classes that benefit all children. He says that if you want to see how your child's physical education class measures up, consider that a properly designed program should include the following four elements:

Maximum participation: All students should be active, not just the most athletic ones. There is no need for excessive standing in lines or waiting turns in a well-planned lesson. In an ideal class all kids are physically active for at least 75 percent of the class time.

Developmentally appropriate activities: Children are not miniature adults! They should not be forced to use adult equipment or follow adult rules for games and activities. A well-designed lesson will modify equipment and activities to fit the student's age and ability level. First graders should not be using metal baseball bats, playing a full-scale soccer game, or trying to dribble an adult-size basketball. In addition to raising safety concerns, forcing students to "play like adults" causes frustration to set in, which in turn will cause students to lose interest and become less likely to be active on their own time.

Cooperation before competition: It is far more beneficial for students to work together to accomplish a task than work against each other. Most experts agree that children are first able to comprehend and handle competition around the age of 10-12. Focusing on competition places the emphasis on winning or losing, rather than learning the skill or experiencing enjoyment of the activity itself. Outdated physical education programs have students spending most of their time in competitive activities. The students who are less successful often lose interest in the activities, feeling that they aren't "good enough" to play.

Skills before sports: In order to experience success in a particular sport, students need to develop the necessary skills. Physical education programs should focus on skill development, with each student getting multiple practice opportunities and ample feedback from the instructor. "Playing the game" before students have the necessary skills causes frustration, standing around, and less individual practice time.

If your child's physical education program can meet these four criteria, it probably measures up to national standards and offers your child high activity levels, an opportunity to develop skills and a good start on a healthy lifestyle.