Obesity+8-503

**Childhood** Obesity __Explaining the Problem __

The problem that our group is studying is childhood obesity caused by a lack of physical education in schools. More people need to focus their attention to this especially nowadays with the new technology keeping kids “entertained”. We believe that most kids are not in good health because of their lack of activity and we want to make a change.

Childhood obesity is a very crucial issue especially because it has been increasing considerably over recent years. Many people are very well aware of the problem, however, they don’t make an effort to solve it. Studies show that the unhealthier a child is, the lower their grade point averages and test scores. Kids are more likely to be depressed if they are over weight. These same children are more likely to later develop a series of health issues that may affect the rest of their lives. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise causes many deaths each year. Obesity causes increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, breathing problems, and much more. They aren't able to perform the daily tasks that other healthy people are able to. It is far more difficult to treat than it is to recognize.

In New York City, Kindergarten though 12th grade students are required to have at least 120 minutes of physical education per week. It is also necessary that they have a gymnasium within the school or a yard outside of the school. Many schools don’t meet the standard time that is obligatory because they don’t even have a gymnasium where students can be active. Other schools, like our school, meet the enforced amount of gym time by including the time we have during recess. This is not right because most kids aren’t moving during recess, they often sit around instead of getting up and exercising. School rules on running and other activities that could possibly cause someone to get hurt further prevent kids from being active on school grounds. If the schoolyard floor was made of softer and safer material, maybe more kids would be able to get around and burn calories. Also, during the winter and on rainy days, we are not able to go outside and instead stay inside where we can only sit and talk to our peers. People may think that more physical education will interfere with academic classes. However, studies have shown that exercise improves blood circulation in the brain, and therefore increases children’s awareness during lessons in a classroom setting.

This is a problem that should be handled by the government because if serious action is not taken, the number of obese citizens will continue to rise. The best place to start helping children is at school. We can’t control what children do at home but the government can definitely help change what occurs in schools. The department of the government that will be able to help childhood obesity in schools is the Department of Education (DOE). Other individuals or groups in the community that are interested in this problem are those who are effected by obesity, those who know others suffering from it, and organizations that are working to end it such as, the American Obesity Association, the Department of Health, and NYC councilman Peter Vallone Jr. They all feel that the problem is very serious and should be solved immediately. Even first lady Michelle Obama has started programs that deal with this issue such as The Let’s Move Program. The obesity rate is not going to decrease because children will not learn these dangers on their own. They need help to allow them to make healthy choices for themselves at a young age. Changes should be made so the children today can have a better future.

Sources

Economopolous, Anastasia. Personal interview. 21 Jan. 2011.

Fergusson, James. "Educators Seek New Ways to Put Physical Education on the Menu." Norwood News. 31 Jan. 2009. Web.

"Goals and Objectives." American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD. Apr. 2006. 30 Jan. 2011 <[]>.

Kasper, Brian. Personal interview. 21 Jan. 2011.

"Lack of Mandatory PE is Making Our Kids Fat." Degrees, Schools, Online Courses and Careers - Education-Portal.com. 13 July 2007. 30 Jan. 2011 <[] king_Our_ Kids_Fat.html>.

Wangsness, Lisa. Simpson, April. "Lack of Physical Education Weighs Heavily on Many." The Boston Globe 30 May 200 [] 5/30/lack_of_ph ysical_education_weighs_heavily_on_many/

__Examining Alternative Policies __

In Alabama, there is a policy that requires students in grades K-8 to take 30 minutes of physical education per day; in high school, one year or two semesters are required. This policy was proposed and passed recently by the Department of Education and the state government of Alabama. The policy allows kids to stay active every school day. This is important because most kids aren't able to be active at home.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">The advantages of this policy is that kids are able to stay active and maintain a healthy body weight. When children have a great amount of physical education, they are able to burn the amount of calories that they consume. This will cause the number of kids with obesity to decrease. Studies have shown that kids that are more active are more likely to do better academically, because they have a healthier body weight and are able to function more effectively and with more energy. The disadvantages of this policy is that physical education time takes away from academic time. The more physical education, the less time kids have to learn other things. This might prevent kids from getting the best education.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">National organizations such as the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, The American Diabetes Association, The National Association for Sports and Physical Education, the National Association of State Boards of Education, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Institute of Medicine agree with the physical education requirement in Alabama. They also believe that at least 50% of class time should be spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. These organization support policies like this, which allow children to be more active in the hopes of reducing the number of kids with obesity. On the other hand, some parents and teachers might not agree with this policy. This is because the policy takes time away from learning, which effects their education.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">In Texas, there is a policy that requires students to participate in 30 minutes of structured physical activity each school day. The Texas State Legislature created the Senate Bill 42, which passed this policy in 2005. With this children learn not only being active in school is a good thing, but help them learn the pros of being active at home as well.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Many would argue there are many disadvantages to this policy. There would not be enough time in the school day to provide 30 minutes of physical education and fulfill academic needs. Which would cause people to overlook gym because it is not as important, but the large growth of childhood obesity tells a different story. Though there are also many advantages, such as helping students build endurance and acquire new skills. For example, it can help them learn new activities and learn to control their personal wellness such as nutrition, weight control, safety, and fitness. But mainly it will help teach students to maintain personal health, which can benefit their whole lifestyle later on.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Organizations such as the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, The American Diabetes Association, The National Association for Sports and Physical Education, the National Association of State Boards of Education, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Institute of Medicine, and Active Living Research support the Texas policy.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">The state requirements for physical education in New York include: <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">All students in K-12 must attend and participate in a physical education program. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">All pupils in grades K-3 shall attend and participate in physical education on a daily basis. All pupils in grades 4-6 shall attend and participate in physical education no less than three times per week. All pupils in grades 7-12 shall attend and participate in physical education for no less than three times per week in one semester, and not less than two times per week in the other semester.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">A lot of state's organizations agree or disagree. Some might require a greater amount of physical education but the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention probably thinks this is too little because this will not do anything since it is trying to decrease obesity in the United States. The National Organization for Sports and Physical Education would disagree to this also because students should be involved in physical activities at least once every day. 3 times a week is not enough and it will not do anything to improve fitness.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">School districts in New York may not be allowed to decrease the amount of gym time in schools due to the Education Law 803 which states “All pupils above the age of eight years in all elementary and secondary schools, shall receive as part of the prescribed courses of instruction therein such physical education under the direction of the commissioner of education as the regents may determine. Such courses shall be designed to aid in the well-rounded education of pupils and in the development of character, citizenship, physical fitness, health and the worthy use of leisure.” The National Organization for Sports and Physical Education would agree to this to encourage schools to accept physical education as a part of a student’s leisure time and relaxation time they need aside from concentrating in the classroom.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Physical education teachers though would not agree to the New York State requirement time for physical education in schools as an interview with a physical education teacher at a school we conducted confirms. They also believe that there should be more time of physical education in school because not everyone plays outside with their own will, but usually go home and play video games or watch television.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Bibliography:

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Active Living Research Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "Senate Bill 42: Implementation and Impact on Physical Activity in Middle Schools | Active Living Research." Home Page | Active Living Research. Sept. 2009. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Kasper, Brian. "Interview with Middle School Physical Education Teacher." Personal interview. 12 Jan. 2011.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">"Model School Wellness Policies." Overview ~ Model School Wellness Policies. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;"><[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">"Obesity Prevention Project." NASBE. 5 Apr. 2010. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">"Physical Education in America's Public Schools: Works Cited." Drwoolard. National Association for Sports and Physical Education, 20 Apr. 2010. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;"><[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">"Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: How Do We Measure Up?" The National Academies Press. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. <[]>.

__<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Proposing a Policy __

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">We think the best policy to deal with this problem is for all schools within New York State<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;"> to provide grades K-8 at least 160 minutes of physical education per week, excluding recess time. We believe that this policy is better than the one already in place in New York State<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">, which requires a minimum of 120 minutes per week for grades K-8, including recess. In order to enforce our policy, we wanted to have a representative of the New York Department of Education (NYDOE) to come semi-annually to the schools and observe the extended P.E. time.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Despite the fact that 160 minutes of physical education is necessary, you would have to also have to consider the disadvantages. With all the necessary time dedicated to education in all subjects there wouldn’t be enough time to include all 160 minutes with out incorporating recess. Plus, with all the students who don’t enjoy physical education extra time would be worse for them. Also with more time of physical education it could lead to more injuries. With these disadvantages, people may believe that the policy should not go into effect. Despite this, the 160 minutes for students is definitely necessary.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">There are many advantages to this policy. First, children will be earning more physical education than they were before leading them to be more fit and healthy. Only 40 minutes were added on to the previous required amount of time of physical education so barely any time is cut from academic subjects. We plan to take out only 5 minutes from each period of the day, for one day of the week when students don’t have P.E., in order to have an additional 40 minutes of physical education class. The way N.Y. schools add these 40 minutes differs based on that specific school’s schedule. Also, studies have shown that more physical education allows you to concentrate more in a classroom because it improves focus skills and increases energy. Having more physical education opens up more job opportunities for gym teachers. Therefore, this policy both improves on children’s physical education while creating better learning environments too.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">The level of government that would carry out this policy is the New York State government, because each state should be able to support their own laws and due to statistics that different states have different obesity rates, New York’s children are the most obese in comparison to the national average. Two out of five children of the 637,000 children in kindergarten through eighth grade were overweight or obese. Rates of the 2008-2009 school year show that 22% of New York’s children were obese, while the rest of the nation was 19.6%. Cathy Nonas, the director of physical activity and nutrition for the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene only the city had substituted milk that is 1 percent fat for regular milk, or skim for chocolate milk, and had banned sugar-sweetened beverages from school vending machines. But this is not enough. People need the amount of physical fitness to equal their calories, in order to loose weight. An increase of physical education is needed in schools to make our state as a whole healthier, stronger, and better. We need to get our kids more active so they can do more things when they are older. This is the reason each state should have its own policy on what to do with physical fitness in schools, because some states need more time than others, and vise versa.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">The government is not allowed to take a person’s life, liberty, or property without giving that person a fair hearing in a court of law or before another authorized agency of government. Our proposed policy doesn’t violate this limit on the power of government. Our policy is created to benefit the health of children, not to limit their rights. The children will be able to enhance their physical health, while still gaining the appropriate education. It is reasonable and fair to both students and other adults involved, such as parents and teachers.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Bibliography: <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">"Active Education." Http:www.activelivingresearch.org. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2007. Web. 18 Mar. 2011. <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Department of State. "New York State Constitution." NYS Department of State. 1 Jan. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2011. <http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/constitution.htm>.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">HARTOCOLLIS, ANEMONA. "City’s Efforts Fail to Dent Child Obesity." Nytimes.com. 4 Sept. 2010. Web. 17 Mar. 2011. <[]>.

Developing an Action Plan <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">To prevent growing number of obese children, we have decided to attempt to pass a different policy than the already existing New York State policy for physical education in schools. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">To help pass our policy of 160 minutes of physical education per week in grades K – 8, we want to address the members of the New York City Department of Education, especially New York City DOE Chancellor. By doing this we hope to show the benefits of kids in NYC schools with the increased physical education and show how it is possible. We would put this policy in place for schools in New York State. By attending DOE meetings we can voice our opinions of the new policy. We also plan to attend the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings to gain support of the parents and show that the physical education does not just benefit their children physically, but mentally as well. Research shows that physical activity increases self-esteem and self-confidence, gives people a way of relaxing and escaping pressures and stress, and finally helps to reduce mental tension and increases concentration. Through presentations by doctors, we can show people how physical education really does benefit children. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Individuals or groups that may be willing to support our policy include Peter Vallone Jr., AAHPERD, Parents of the PTA; Teachers interested in recreation, New York City DOE Chancellor, and other Department of Health officials. AAHPERD is an organization whose goal is to encourage kids to take part in physical activity. Our policy follows their standards and can help them achieve their goal. Parents of the PTA would want their children to do the best they can in school and have a good time in it. With the extra physical education time this would help the students to do so. Department of Health officials would also support us. This is because as being in the department of health, they would care about the physical condition of children in schools. Teachers involved in recreation such as gym, coaches, and dance teachers would also support our policy because they know how<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;"> physical education benefits a child’s well being from a young age to when they are older. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">To win their support we can create petitions given to children and adults, to show that both groups believe that this physical education time is necessary. We can also talk to officials through email, mail, and Department of Education meetings to inform them of our policy and how it would benefit students of the New York schools. By doing this they can better understand what we are trying to do and the advantages of it helping us to further win their support. Also, by having doctors speak or showing them prior conversations with the doctors they will see the positive outcomes of the policy in the health aspect. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Representatives of the academic branch of the Department of Education may oppose our policy. The American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the National Education Association (NEA) may also oppose our policy because their mission is to improve the education in schools. With less time for academics, they may feel that kids will be learning less. We will attempt to prove them wrong by showing the benefits of our policy, such as the barely noticeable time taken away from a child's education. We will also try to show them how important a child's health is. If a child is not healthy, how do you expect them to have the energy to learn? We will attempt to convince them and hopefully they would be able to support our idea.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">Bibliography

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">"American Educational Research Association: About AERA." AERA Homepage. 17 Nov. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">2010. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;"><http://www.aera.net/AboutAERA.htm>.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Department Of Education. "About ED - Educational Associations and Organizations." <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">U.S. Department of Education. 29 Dec. 2009. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. <http://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/gen/othersites/associations.html>.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">"NEA - No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) | ESEA." NEA - NEA Home. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><http://www.nea.org/home/NoChildLeftBehindAct.html>.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">New York State PTA. "Publications - NYS PTA." New York State PTA//. 14 Apr. 2011. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Web. 14 Apr. 2011. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;"><http://www.nyspta.org/publications/publications.cfm>.