Including overweight or obese students in physical education: A social ecological constraint model

Abstract

In this review, we propose a social ecological constraint model to study inclusion of overweight or obese students in physical education by integrating key concepts and assumptions from ecological constraint theory in motor development and social ecological models in health promotion and behavior. The social ecological constraint model proposes that constraints exist on five different levels and interact within and across levels to affect overweight students’ engagement, learning, and physical activity in physical education. This model can provide a theoretical framework to guide and organize research on the inclusion of overweight students. It can also guide teachers in manipulating these constraints to create a culture for inclusion and provide instruction to meet the needs of overweight or obese students. © 2012 by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.