Physical Education Reductions Hinder Childhood Obesity Prevention

In a recent article in the New York Times, "Despite Obesity Concerns, Gym Classes Are Cut," writer Al Baker describes how many schools suffer from cuts to their physical education programs.

"Researchers at the University of California, San Fransisco, found just 20 percent of elementary schools in San Fransisco's system were meeting the state's requirements: 20 minutes per day."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also reported in their biennial survey for the country's high school students about half of them were without any type of physical education class during their normal school week. 

In an effort for state legislators to budget their state's money, they have taken out the physical education funds out of schools. Most schools simply blame the budget cuts and focus more specifically on test preperation for their youth because there doesn't seem to be any time or money left for physical education anymore.

Schools concerned about budget cuts and test preperations could also consider that the value from phsycial education is not only in an effort to keep kids healthy and combat obesity, but it also benefits the student's academics. A Harvard Professor and author, Dr. John J. Ratey, referenced a 2010 study that linked physical education to good academic outcomes in his book "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain."

Overall, teachers and schools are not giving up, but they are still trying to adjust to the constant financial strife that state legislators must handle on a regular basis. Tough decisions are to be made, and hopefully it can work out for the better with our kid's health and future in the balance.