The Importance of Physical Activity Essay

Childhood obesity is a widespread concern that is very manageable, reversible, and absolutely avoidable if the correct steps are put in place. Adequate teaching and sufficient knowledge by parents and health care providers alike can attribute immeasurable results in the defense against obesity in children. “Poor dietary habits and insufficient physical activity are among the most important modifiable lifestyle factors causing a substantial chronic disease burden worldwide including obesity” (Nyberg et al., 2015).

Childhood obesity is a major public health epidemic which has significantly risen over the past three decades and there is no chance in sight of slowing it down unless real action is taken. This major health crisis continues to reduce individuals’ quality of life and has caused severe health problem like heart disease which is the leading cause of death in the United States and around the world. In most cases, obese children grow up to be an obese adult. The prevalence of childhood obesity can be addressed through education initiatives such as school prevention programs because children spent a majority of their time outside of the home at school, therefore school provides a great opportunity to educate and improve a child’s health at an ideal point before the problem gets worst. My paper will focus on childhood obesity prevention in Hill Top Middle school Lodi, New Jersey.

Childhood obesity is one of the major health challenges of the 21st century. (World Health Organization, 2016). In the last 30 years, obesity has more than doubled in children. Overweight and obesity are the result of caloric imbalance and can cause physical and psychological problems in children. A global shift in dietary habits and lack of physical activity play a crucial role in childhood obesity. Healthy lifestyle habits, such as healthy eating and physical activity can reduce the risk of becoming obese. School plays an important role in establishing a safe and supportive environment with policies and practices that support healthy behaviors (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). The fifty state legislation on childhood obesity policy was enacted in 2013. Many states including, Texas has enacted some type of school nutrition legislation but not on physical education (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2013). Therefore, the author decided to contact a policymaker, a local school board member of Plano, Texas to implement the existing policies of school nutrition and physical activity.

Today, childhood obesity is a very common and serious problem among America’s youth. Childhood obesity is a condition when he/she is very overweight and unhealthy. (Random House Dictionary, 2014). This is a very serious disease and it needs to be treated as such. Due to childhood obesity, today’s youth are mentally and physically self-conscious at a young age and these thoughts and feeling will most likely be carried with them throughout their whole lives. As a future Physical Education teacher, I know that it is extremely important for me to help with this problem to the best of my ability. It is one of my goals, as well as a huge part of my future profession, to help teach all of my students how to

There has been a major rise in childhood obesity in the 21st century. Childhood obesity can negatively affect a person’s life for years to come. Obesity can lead to diabetes, hypertension, and ultimately death. Being that students spend most of their day in school, schools really should be involved in fixing this major problem. In order to combat childhood obesity, schools should focus on teaching children the importance of healthy lifestyles, give students the opportunity to exercise, and stress the value of keeping their minds and bodies healthy for the future.

Childhood obesity is a known problem for decades. It occurs when a child is over the recommended weight for their age and height. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2011-2012 there were 12.7 million children and adolescents that had obesity (Skinner & Skelton, 2014). The numbers over the years steadily increased and caused concern all across the world. Many children are being diagnosed with health issues such as diabetes, hypertension and other obesity related conditions. Childhood obesity has become a known health threat for the United States. We have an epidemic that is unfolding in front of our nation. We ask ourselves why this is becoming such a problem? Parents are good role models for children showing them healthy eating habits and how to be physically active. The school system, parents and physical activity can have an impact on reducing childhood obesity. Where do we begin to find interventions?

Childhood obesity is a significant issue that is plaguing the youth of the current era. As time goes on, countless children are faced with the tribulations of an unhealthy lifestyle, leading to innumerable health hazards. Children are not given the utilities needed to stay fit, resulting in them becoming increasingly obese. Parents and schools must do more to encourage young children to follow a healthy diet and exercise routine.

Many Americans are struggling with keeping a healthy weight, and this problem even is seen through this country’s children. Schools should educate children about obesity and the consequences it has on their bodies. Overweight children are more common in today’s society because of the bad choices parents and schools make toward feeding their children. When the time comes to make healthy decisions, children can make bad choices because of the influences brought on by their environments. Children need to be taught how to eat healthy and perform more exercises. Since children are in school many hours a day, the schools need to help end this problem by preparing healthier meals, encouraging students to exercise, and educating the students about the health problems related to obesity.

First, children need to continue physical education because of the growing rates of childhood obesity. Due to the shortened school hours most schools are shutting their P.E. programs down. Nutritionists, pediatricians, and American Heart Association are opposing a bill, stating that taking away physical education is dangerous because obesity affects around 30% of the nation’s children (Carollo, 2011). Taking away physical education at a young age could potentially result in a high risk of bad habits and an even higher risk of obesity (Carollo, 2011). Research

It is clear that childhood obesity is a rising epidemic in the United States, and one without a cure. The focus on this topic needs to be shifted to preventative measures in order to halt the increasing numbers. There are significant health consequences that come along with being overweight or obese, most of which do not show up until later in life, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, sleep apnea, and type II diabetes. On top of the risk of health conditions, carrying excess weight has also been linked to negatively impacting a child’s life psychologically and socially (Cawley, 2013). An extensive number of children are not getting any physical activity outside of school, advocating that physical education programs in schools across the nation need to be implemented to get young children moving. In order to impact the increasing numbers of childhood obesity, physical education classes need to be structured so that moderate to vigorous physical activity is attained for the majority of the class and that children are compliant with the activities in physical education classes. However, a staggering amount of research proves that participation in physical education classes will contribute to lower levels of obesity in children- when conducted at the recommended dosage- by getting children active, by teaching children knowledge of necessary health

Physical exercise is beneficial since it helps maintain and improve ones health from many diseases and premature death. It also makes a person feel happier and increases ones self esteem preventing one from falling into depression or anxiety. It has also shown to make someone with a vigorous lifestyle live longer than a one who doesn't.

Lisa has been suffering with obesity since she was 12 now at 17 she weighs approximately 440 pounds. She was known as the freak of every school she attended. Due to depression, anxiety and agoraphobia (The fear of wide open spaces, crowds or uncontrolled social conditions.), caused by the rest of her classmates she was forced to drop out of school. Children like these are all across America. Food industries are provoking them to eat more with their tasty, one-dollar menus. One of the areas that need to be given more importance in the fight against obesity is physical education: from elementary throughout high school. Obesity is a disease that is common in America; it usually starts in the elementary age. Physical education not only helps

I believe we must include parents, teachers and students in order to have an effective and long lasting impact on obesity. All constituents must buy in and become accountable. Teachers can be provided with professional development on ways to implement movement in the classroom with demonstration lesson on all subjects. This is a no cost way to achieve the movement goal and help students learn ways to incorporate exercise in their daily routine. During health classes more time and hands on opportunities should be made to taste and discuss the benefits of fruits, vegetables and healthy snacks. Students can then vote on which snacks they like best and those snacks should be made available in the vending machines. In addition, once students have completed their lunch they should be allowed to go out into the play yard for some movement. Lastly, parent workshops and newsletters can keep them abreast of the efforts in school and provide tips for home.

Children obesity levels have risen as kids continue to get low amounts of exercise, technology has made it so close to the point where humans don't have to move much all day with cars carrying us to school instead of the traditional walking, phones which we can have all the information we need just by clicking and movement of the hands (Mcmahon 1). The obesity levels have also went up as schools make budget cuts and continue to end programs that are essential (Driscoll 1). Obese children need physical education programs, so they can benefit from the exercise they participate in for the day (Driscoll 1). Kids should eliminate these actions by going outside and using their body to walk to school every other day or walk to a friends house, and it would help increase the exercise output from teens (Mcmahon 1). In the article Physical Education: An Overview, Maureen McMahon emphasizes the repercussions obesity causes:

Firstly, the teacher could assist addressing and preventing obesity through integrating classroom movement into classroom curriculum. A” walk” and “talk” break could involve students moving outside the classroom to discuss what they are currently learning or have learnt during the day. For example a Maths lesson with focus on measurement could involve students physically measuring objects outside the classroom. This strategy could be considered effective as it provides students with an opportunity to expend more energy through movement, therefore positively affecting physical, cognitive and social development during Middle Childhood years (www.humankinetics.com).