Legislators Look to "PE" to Improve Kids' Health

LEGISLATORS LOOK TO “PE” TO IMPROVE KIDS’ HEALTH

Volume 28, Issue 494 June 25, 2007

Amy Winterfeld

In an effort to battle childhood obesity—and the chronic diseases that can arise from it—a growing number of states are considering bills that pertain to school physical education (PE) programs. From 2005 to 2007, lawmakers considered at least 95 bills addressing physical activity; about half of those were enacted.

In 2007, Florida and Mississippi established minimum time limits for physical education at specified grade levels.

In 2006, Kansas passed a resolution urging the state Board of Education to require PE classes for all grades. West Virginia passed SB 785, which mandates that public school students participate in PE. Class times are specified by grade level; for example, elementary school students must participate in at least 30 minutes of PE, for no fewer than three days per week.

A 2005 South Carolina law not only phases in PE requirements for students, but calls for appointing a school coordinator to identify physical activities—such as dance instruction and bicycling—that could be held before, during and after school.

Only one state (Illinois) requires daily PE for students in all grades—kindergarten through 12 (although Illinois law also permits PE waivers).

Activity Linked to Brain Power

While enthusiasm for the benefits of physical activity is high, the cost of PE programs and the importance of academics have sometimes prevented schools from devoting more resources to physical education. However, a growing body of research demonstrates that regular, moderate-to-vigorous levels of physical activity can improve concentration and academic achievement. Researchers are finding that children who engage in daily physical activity have better attendance, as well as a more optimistic, eager attitude towards learning.

For one study, two parochial schools agreed to reduce class time for academics by 240 minutes per week in order to increase time for physical activity. Researchers found that test scores on mathematics were consistently higher for this group than for a group that did not have increased time for physical activity.

According to a 1997 article in the Journal of School Health, schools that offer intense physical activity programs see positive effects on academic achievement, even when physical education classes reduce the time left for academics. The benefits include increased concentration; improved scores in mathematics, reading and writing; and reduced disruptive behavior. More on these and other studies can be found at the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools.

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommends that elementary school students participate in physical education for 150 minutes per week, and that middle and high school students spend 225 minutes per week in PE.

A comprehensive listing of physical education bills that were considered or passed in 2005 can be found at: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/ChildhoodObesity-2005.htm#phy . For 2006 bills, go to: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/ChildhoodObesity-2006.htm#phy.