Time To Upgrade Physical Education

Sat., April 22, 2000

By Fern Christenson fernc@spokesman.com

It’s no wonder many schools minimized physical education requirements. Baby boom administrators perhaps remember the horror called PE back when they were in school.

In the good old days, PE classes were a waste of time for many kids. The curriculum focused on competitive team sports and boring, repetitive exercises. Those who loved PE excelled at sports anyway, even gathering after school to play on their own. Less athletic kids gained nothing but humiliation. Logically, many districts squeezed out PE in favor of more academic class time.

Such PE classes hardly laid a foundation for a lifetime of physical fitness. In spite of that, adults today play with enthusiasm unheard of in previous generations. Recreation is a huge industry, outfitting people of all ages for everything from windsurfing to Rollerblading. People today sweat for the fun of it.

Unfortunately, this passion for perspiration isn’t rubbing off on our kids and they’re not learning it in school, either. Fewer than 30 percent of high school students take daily PE classes.

The health repercussions are frightening. In 1963, 4.1 percent of kids ages 6-11 were overweight. By 1994, that number was 10.6 percent. Studies indicate that about 20 percent of Americans age 12 to 19 are obese or overweight. Up to 80 percent of them cannot pass a simple fitness test.

Last year it was reported that 20 percent of pediatric patients with newly diagnosed diabetes are Type 2. Typically associated with obesity, this used to be considered an adult form of diabetes.

While the blame of course can’t be pinned on the lack of PE alone, phys-ed is perhaps our best combative tool. Kids today are mired in sedentary pursuits which use muscles only for operating the TV remote, computer mouse or joystick. Readily at hand is an excess of fattening food.

Positive efforts are under way. Washington state has set new standards for health and fitness programs in schools. Educators are working to change the focus of phys-ed to health, nutrition and overall wellness.

A bill before Congress, Physical Education for Progress, would authorize grants to enhance school PE programs.

It’s clearly time to prioritize physical education. Today’s classes can and should be fun and worthwhile. Information on health, fitness and nutrition is abundant, and people have a hands-on attitude about lifetime recreation.

For a lifetime of health, a strong phys-ed foundation is crucial.

Local journalism is essential.

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