How Can Our Children Become More Active?

The Case for Physically Active Children

Regular physical activity during childhood is known to promote physical fitness, self-esteem, confidence, healthy weight, optimal bone development, coordination and balance, social skills and, yes, academic achievement. In fact, recent data demonstrate a strong positive relationship between SAT 9 scores and levels of physical fitness in California students. This positive relationship was noted in girls and boys, 5^th, 7^th and 9^th graders, and all race/ethnicity groups. There are absolutely no studies indicating that increased time spent in recess, physical education or other school-based physical activity results in lower academic achievement. Thus, these data demonstrate the need to provide our children with as many opportunities as possible to be physically active each day, thereby promoting optimal health and learning.

Unfortunately, despite these many benefits of regular physical activity, too many California children do not meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity (30-60 minutes per day of moderate-vigorous activity). As a result, overweight, type 2 diabetes, and the presence of other cardiovascular disease risk factors in children are on the rise and, despite renewed efforts, academic achievement scores are being negatively impacted. If action isn't quickly taken, crises in both the health and education systems in California will be overwhelming.

Consider the facts:

• Only 23% of California students in 5^th grade, 27 percent in 7^th grade, and 24 percent in 9^th grade meet all six of California's fitness standards, according to physical fitness test results for 2003.

• California teens reporting no physical activity in the past week increased from 5% to 10% in boys and 4% to 22% in girls in only a two-year period of time (1998-2000).

• Elementary school age children report an average of 2.3 PE classes per week with a length of only 33 minutes per class. This equates to only 44% of the legislatively mandated number of minutes of PE per week.

• Overweight increased 13% in 2-4 year olds, 19% in 5-9 year olds, and 33% in 10-12 year olds from 1991-1997.

• Physical inactivity patterns increase as children age with adolescents spending an average of 131 minutes per day in sedentary activities (e.g. TV viewing).

Copyright © California Center for Physical Activity.