obesity and physical education

Obesity and Physical Education

Matthew CummiskeyTemple University

All materials are available via forthcoming website Please provide name/email

What is Obesity? Body mass index (BMI) above 30 or body fat

percentages above 25% for boys and 30% for girls signals obesity in children.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1985

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Ominous SignsPoole, Radford Univ.

64.5 % of US adults are overweight and 30.5% are obese. Second leading cause of preventable death in the US Costs associated with obesity are approximately $117 billion Studies show that more than 80% of obese adolescents remain

obese as adults (inactive children become inactive adults) Increases the risk of type II diabetes and cardiovascular

disease American youth today will die earlier than the generation

preceding them Boys tend to be more active than girls; Affluent more active

than poor; White more active than non-white; Higher education graduates more active than high school graduates.

The prevalence of overweight individuals has doubled for children and tripled for adolescents…

Only 20% of adolescents report participating in moderate physical activity 5 or more days/week…

Participation in school-based physical education and out of school sports teams decreases with age…

28% of high school students participated in daily PE in 2003… PE enjoyment decreases over time particularly for girls and

children not on sports teams… Both recess and physical education classes have been

reduced &/or eliminated under the pretext of educational reform and reliance on academic achievement…

Ominous Signs cont.Poole, Radford Univ.

Ominous Signs cont. "Adult" diabetes on the rise in kids ("Today

Show" 3/25/04) 22% of Arkansas Children are Obese (Chicago

Tribune 6/7/04) Obesity 'a threat' to U.S. security Surgeon general urges

cultural shift (Kim Severson/San Francisco Chronicle 1/7/03)

Obesity Costs States Billions in Medical Expenses (RTI International 1/21/04)

State legislatures take up the battle against obesity (Marian Uhlman/Philadelphia Inquirer 7/23/03)

Early Show Article (1/27/2005) Get Out & Play Article (12/30/2004) Burlington Times Article

PE Solutions to Obesity Hurdles to Overcome Among Students

Lack of time (perceived or real) Lack of social support

Interpersonal, transportation &/or money More attractive alternatives Avoidance of discomfort and physical exertion Poor nutritional intake at home and at school Media exposure including television, video games,

and computers (OK to be the “fat” man) Lack of safe facilities Over-reliance on competition and organized sport

PE Solutions to Obesity CDC on High Quality PE Programs

1. Instructional time and use of Modify the curriculum to increase both moderate and

vigorous bouts of activity Increase the time allotted to physical education

across all levels Switch to more active games &/or modified existing

games and rules to enhance activity for all participants

Active Youth recommends teacher focus on… Address the INTERESTS of students (what are they

likely to participate in?)

PE Solutions to ObesityHershey Foods Corp Report:

Modify the school nutrition programs.Does the cafeteria offer healthy breakfast and

lunch options? ($) Better yet, just healthy food?

Are there healthy snacks and drinks in the vending machines?

Most interventions increase activity (both intensity and duration) during class but many reported no change in out-of-school activity.

Future programs need to aggressively promote out-of-school activity.

Attempt more coordinated and comprehensive interventions involving schools, communities, and home settings.

PE Solutions to Obesity Involving the Classroom Teachers

Incorporate brief periods of stretching or activity in the classroom

Provide nutrition lesson plans because many classroom teachers are not trained in health education (Create a district-wide standardized curriculum)

Post information such as posters or models around the classroom

Suggestions: Make it Fun!! Offer choices that appeal to a variety of student interests Include time for homework Target “at risk” population Provide non-competitive activities Think outside the box Collaborate with colleagues

Steps Who’s interested, in what? Scheduling: days/week, # of weeks, session length Promotion of club to students and staff Permissions/transportation Equipment Planning each session (KISS) Funding…who’s getting paid and what plus equipment

Activities: Mountain biking, cup stacking, recycling, chess, running drama club, snowshoeing, many others

PE Solutions to Obesity After school activities

Examples of specialized classes: Before school sessions During school physical education class in which

obese or overweight children are “invited” to attend Modify the class specifically to obese children

based on their needs and incorporate frequent body fat analyses, nutritional counseling, etc…

Keep close track of progress Establish IEP’s when appropriate with a

physician

PE Solutions to Obesity Specialized Classes

Use pedometers, heart rate monitors, & other technologies to measure personal fitness.

Incorporate student choice among category offerings (For example, two classes from team sports, three form wellness, two from individual sports, etc).

Eliminate elimination games, maximize small-sided modified games (2 on 2 basketball), & reduce waiting time.

Organize & participate in Jump Rope for Heart, Million Jump Day, field trips, ACES (all children exercising simultaneously), family nights, Fitnessgram awards for most improved, active lifestyle award, Walk to School and get extra PE, etc.

PE Solutions to Obesity Miscellaneous Strategies (Poole & other sources)

PE Solutions to Obesity Miscellaneous Strategies Address the perceived competence (self-

efficacy) of students in being able to succeed. Make the program as fun as possible to create

positive attitudes & perceptions of physical activity

Talk about benefits of physical activity and a reduction in their obesity level (listed later)

Address access to school facilities run fitness center like a club (pass unit plus

practical and written tests) Create a trifold or handout which is distributed

to all students and ultimately the parents about obesity. Ask if the parents would like additional information in this area.

PE Solutions to Obesity Miscellaneous Strategies cont.

Make frequent references to local physical activity resources

Collect fitnessgram assessment data on children from 4th – 12th grade. Grade on the absolute score or improvement.

Do not use physical activity as punishment Explain WHY they are learning any information Decorate the “naked gym” with the food pyramid,

wellness scale, benefits of physical activity, bar graph of yards walked to burn off a big mac vs a grilled chicken sandwich, etc (Involve the art classes and make it interdisciplinary project)

Community & Obesity Fight for legislation to increase the time allocated to physical

education Advocate for out-of-school athletic programs that are more

“recreational-based” and inclusive rather than exclusive “competitive sport” programs

Encourage greater walking and riding to school (making activity part of daily commute) “Walking School Bus” where volunteers coordinate walking

routes to school (www.walkingschoolbus.org). Promote active commuting as part of being responsible to

one’s own body and the environment. Are there safe playgrounds, parks, and recreation facilities? Are school facilities open for use after school hours? Are there clearly marked walking and biking trails? Partnerships among businesses and other organizations can support

programs that are accessible to all children and adolescents in the community

http://www.walkingschoolbus.org/

Families Solutions to Obesity Meet with the parents at school to formulate a strategy

Dispense advice on variety and nutrition, exercise, and weight training (prepared handout)

Broaching the topic initially can be difficult (get permission) Limit out-of-school “screen time” (TV, videogames, computer) Physical activity begins at home.

Children and adolescents who are physically active usually have parents or other family members who encourage them to participate in physical activity, participate in physical activity with them, watch them play or compete, volunteer, and provide transportation to physical activity and sports events

Be a role model by communicating positive and consistent messages (walk instead of drive a car, use the stairs, move the yard for exercise)

Organize physical activities themselves with friends and family members

Keep parents informed of progress and communicating successes, Create a network of social support (parents, friends, other

adults…)

Health Professional Solutions & Obesity

Guest speakers and field trips Reinforce the importance of physical activity among

physically active children and adolescents Establish partnerships with communities (e.g.,

child care facilities, schools, recreation centers) to raise awareness about the benefits of physical activity for children and adolescents, be positive role models, and serve as advocates for high-quality physical education programs (Kentucky Hospital System)

Ask health care professionals to sponsor and support prevention activities (97% care, 3% prevention)

Benefits to Normal BMI (various sources)

Action for Healthy Kids reported Physical activity is consistently related to higher levels of

self-esteem and lower levels of anxiety and stress. A strong relationship has been reported between fitness

scores and academic achievement (www.cahperd.org) – California AHPERD.

Overweight and obese children are more often absent, victims of bullying, exhibit greater behavior problems, and perform poorer on academic achievement tests.

More healthy children make more healthy adults and in turn, more healthy children.

http://www.cahperd.org/

Benefits to Normal BMI cont.

Prevents high blood pressureRelieves stressRaises HDL (“good”) cholesterolReduces the risk of diabetes and some cancers Improves psychological well-being (greater self-

confidence and self-esteem) Increases lean muscle mass Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety and

improve mood Improves cardiorespiratory fitness

You’ve Got Support

81 percent of teachers and 85 percent of parents favor requiring students to take physical education every day at every grade level

94 percent of teachers and 89 percent of parents favor developing new "lifestyle" approaches to physical education, focusing on activities children can continue to participate in after they've left school

87 percent of teachers and 88 percent of parents believe school boards should not eliminate physical education for budgetary reasons

87 percent of teachers and 77 percent of parents believe schools should not eliminate physical education classes to focus on meeting stricter academic standards

From WVU conference

1. Workshops for parents of overweight students and students themselves.2. IPEP – extra time for PE (assigned to special class)3. Flyers with fitness/nutritional info4. Fitness scores sent home to parents5. Cooperatives with local business for identified students (maybe require

extra-curricular participation)1. Negotiate free 3 month membership for identified studetns at the local fitness

club for students.6. Create after school clubs for students (intracumurals, rock climbing)7. Health club model (stuart, 2007)8. Create and follow their own intervention plan9. Environmental scans – determine sources of health and ill-health in the

local community and/or near their house.

10. Article: Crawley and Meyerhoefer, education nexts, 2005, article about PE and obesity

Adult’s Physical Activity Pyramid

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Your EXAMPLE!

Children’s Physical Activity Pyramid

Healthy Schools for Healthy Kids Report!!!!!

What have I missed?

Questions??

Wrap Up

Documents:http://astro.temple.edu/~mdc49/portfolio/c

onferences/presentations.htm

Contact Info: [email protected]

THANKS FOR COMING :)

Wrap Up

http://astro.temple.edu/~mdc49/portfolio/conferences/presentations.htm

http://astro.temple.edu/~mdc49/portfolio/conferences/presentations.htm

mailto:[email protected]

obesity and physical education

Documents

obesity trends

med assoc

girls signals obesity

obese adolescents

adults inactive children

inactive adultsincreases

radford univ

adolescents report