Lax physical education has multiple risks for kids

By Mirielle Cailles CTW Features

From jumping jacks to running laps, according to experts, kids just aren?t getting enough. A new review from Canada says kids need more physical activity in school and pushes for physical education both in the gym and classroom.

?We have an issue of children not being physically active according to guidelines, that childhood overweight and obesity is increasing and that these habits track into adulthood and lead to cardiac disease,? says Maureen Dobbins, Ph.D., associate professor at the School of Nursing at McMaster University in Ontario, and lead author of the new systematic review of studies.

Researchers looked at 26 studies of schoolbased ?multifaceted interventions focused on changing multiple risk behaviors associated with adult-onset cardiovascular disease ... including physical activity, nutrition and smoking.?

The study found that successful programs led to modest increases in physical activity and aerobic fitness, as well as decreased TV viewing and blood cholesterol levels.

?Schools have the responsibility of providing good physical education but parents may think locales are doing a lot more than what?s actually going on,? says Russell Pate, Ph.D., a spokesperson for the American Heart Association. ?Prevailing guidelines are that children should be active an hour a day, so 30 minutes should be in school,? he says. Instead, ?a typical child gets about half the recommended physical activity dose in school 15 minutes.?

The study found that gym teachers are typically the best faculty members to run these programs, but that discussions on healthy eating and physical activity are also good for a school?s entire curriculum.

According to Dobbins, the review?s ultimate conclusion was ?rethinking the school day so that there are more opportunities throughout the day for kids to be active.?

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