Much is being written about childhood obesity and how best to combat it. The letter “PE classes are needed to fight childhood obesity” correctly points out that “good physical education programs [in our schools] . . . are a critically important component of containing the childhood obesity epidemic.”
The qualifier “good,” however, is the key. How good at promoting fitness are the physical education programs in most of our schools? Not very, if the current obesity epidemic is any indication.
Despite mandatory PE in most Illinois schools, children continue to get fatter and less fit.
But what can you expect from gym classes that are more like recess than workout?
How many calories are actually being burned in a typical PE volleyball, basketball, kickball or badminton game? If you need a clue, try the fact that most kids don’t take–and don’t need to take–showers before returning to their regular classrooms.
If PE classes are expected to have some really positive impact on health and fitness, get rid of the games and all the standing around. Turn each gym class into an aerobics/exercise class. Crank up the music and get the kids to “feel the burn.” Base their gym grades on some accepted fitness standards–no more easy A’s and B’s.
Just a 20-minute workout would do more to contain obesity than 45 minutes of what passes for PE today. And that would even leave time for showers.
