CHILD PHYSICAL ACTIVITY RELEVANCY REPORT BY JELISA, JENNIFER E., DARBY, JENNIFER R, AND VALERIE

WHY SHOULD WE TEACH IT? Currently, 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States are obese, which has tripled since a generation ago! “Regular physical activity helps children build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints; builds lean muscle and reduce fat; prevents or delays the development of high blood pressure; reduces feelings of depression and anxiety; and may, through its effect on mental health, increase students' capacity for learning.” – Children are more sedentary today: tv, video games, removal of time in school p.e. programs, less safety in freedom to play outside.

HOW SHOULD WE TEACH IT? STANDARDS: HEK.1b Identify that physical health is one dimension of health and wellness. Reduce sedentary time. Provide the opportunities and encouragement for physical activity. Never punish by removal of physical activity time. Mix it up! Make it fun!

CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Remember that physical activity is necessary and applies to EVERYONE. Be aware of the child’s abilities and inabilities. MODIFICATIONS!!! Modify the activities so that ALL children can participate. This may mean doing differentiated group activities.

WOW! REALLY?! “Southerners” are less physically active than the rest of the United States. 20% of a child’s time awake is spent watching TV. Only 36% of children receive a daily p.e. allotment in schools, 36% are allotted 2 days or less, and the remaining 28% are allotted zero days in schools. Approximately 90% of parents think their children are fit, and actually only 33% are. Only 27% of a typical p.e. class is devoted to motor activity.

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