Promoting Physical Activity in Children and Youth

Abstract

Schools are potentially attractive settings in which to promote positive health behaviors because students spend large amounts of time in the school environment, elements of the traditional school curriculum relate directly to health, and schools typically provide extracurricular programs that can promote health. Although schools are under increasing pressure to increase student scores on standardized tests, the recent dramatic rise in the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents in the United States suggests that there is a pressing need for the nation's schools to systematically and effectively promote behaviors that will prevent the development of overweight. Physical activity is a key determinant of weight status. Disquieting trends in other segments of American society, such as increased "screen time" and decreased reliance on physically active transport, indicate that the schools should assume a leadership role in ensuring that young people engage in adequate amounts of physical activity each day. This statement advances policy initiatives that, if fully implemented, would position American schools as societal leaders in addressing an enormous public health challenge. © 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.