Rise In Obesity, Cutting Gym Classes? | Dual Fit

We all know that the rise in obesity in this country has reached dramatic levels; nearly 2.8 million people are dying each year as a result of being overweight or obese. Obesity does much more than put a damper on your physical appearance. It impairs the functionality of many vital organs working to keep you alive. One would expect a greater initiative to be taken to fight this life threatening issue, but the government is doing the exact opposite?cutting one of the only hours in a kid?s day to exercise, gym class. Childhood obesity needs to be stopped. First Lady Michelle Obama and Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg have been campaigning for a couple of years on childhood obesity prevention, attempting to cure it and stop it from happening, but to little avail. Over 40 million preschool children were overweight in 2008. These children are almost guaranteed to become overweight or obese as adults; with an increased risk of developing adverse health diseases such as: hypertension, diabetes, and cancer.

GYM PROTOCOL NOT STRICT ENOUGH

Many American children and teens simply aren?t getting the amount of exercise they need; an issue that could be solved with more stringent gym protocol and the preservation of these gym classes. An article from the New York Times,?written by Al Baker, discusses the detrimental impact that the elimination of physical education can have on our kids. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?report, nearly half of the high school students across the country did not participate in any physical education class during an average week. Another study found that only 20% of elementary schools were giving the recommended twenty minutes of physical activity daily.

Many parents of these students that lack physical education are concerned. One mom in New York stated, ?He comes out of school and he is bouncing off the walls?? referring to her first grade son. She is worried that the lack of physical activity will cause him to act out in other places because of all the energy that is built up. This is very much true. Kids need to release all the energy they have. Unlike adults, kids are much more energetic. Sitting in a classroom for eight hours will drive them crazy! They need to release some of this energy and what better place to do it than gym class?

IMPACT ON BRAIN FUNCTION

Lack of physical activity has also been shown to have a depressing effect on brain function; severely affecting the way children learn. The developing brain in a preschooler needs a healthy dose of physical activity in order for it to grow properly. Oxygen and blood must make its way to the brain, helping kids stay more focused on other tasks throughout the day. A Harvard Professor cited a study done in 2010 on the topic of exercise and the brain and found that people who were active were more likely to perform better on academic tests.

WHY GYM CLASS IS IMPORTANT FOR KIDS

Gym class is one of the most important classes in a school setting. Cutting it will only do more harm than good. Although some schools are concerned about money and having to pay the teachers, gym class should not be the class that goes. School takes up the majority of a child/teen?s life. If the schools are not incorporating physical activity into their lives, chances are they won?t get any. Not all kids can play sports outside of school. As important as math and writing are to a child?s education, introducing them to health and fitness is just as crucial.

Source: http://dualfit.com/rise-in-obesity-cutting-gym-classes/

footlocker julia gillard julia gillard pecan pie the hobbit trailer red velvet cake recipe josh krajcik