I recently received an interesting article emailed to me by our assistant dean (she sent it because she probably knew how much it would irritate me!).

The article, Schools let phys ed slip off schedule, came from the October 18, 2004 Boston Globe. It seems that physical educators in Massachusetts (like many states) are losing the battle of providing high-quality high school physical education under the guise of “educational reform.” You know the drill…actually, several of you have probably experienced some variation of this story in your own neck of the woods. School districts are ignoring state mandates insuring physical education for all students in order to spend greater time in preparation for statewide achievement tests required for graduation.

Of course we know it should never be an either/or situation, that is, we know learning about the process of leading a physically active and healthy lifestyle does not come at the cost of academic achievement. What worries me is when I see quotes such as the one in this article from a Massachusetts superintendent stating; “Part of the reason (why students are failing achievement tests) is that they’re taking physical education or playing sports.”

Ouch! Is that really true, or does he (and apparently many others) simply believe it to be true? Luckily we have an answer to that question and I plan to send a copy of it to the superintendent.

Within his excellent website, Unlock Research: Research for Physical Educators, Emeritus Professor Larry Locke reviews research conducted in Virginia (Wilkins, J.L.M., Graham, G., Parker, S., Westfall, S., Fraser, R.G., & Tembo, M., 2003) reporting that physical education participation (& other “non-core” subjects like art and music) had no negative effect on academic achievement assessed via statewide testing. Further, as detailed in previous PELinks4U pages, California’s Department of Education actually reported a positive relationship between physical fitness scores and academic achievement.

Yes…I plan to send those insights to the Massachusetts superintendent, too.

While many of you have seen CDC materials in the VERB campaign to promote physical activity (i.e., “Verb…it’s what you do.”) the materials aimed at secondary school-aged young people include Anytime Doubletime. Simply put, Anytime Doubletime takes many of the games and activities young people already know and combine them to form new and novel games.

Combining soccer and kickball, for example, might develop into what you or your students label, “kick-soccer” and requires the fielding team in kickball to first trap the kicked ball, then pass it among all fielders and finally score a goal to get the runner “out.” The kicking team counts as many runs as they can get before the fielders score a goal. Once all kickers have had a turn, teams switch positions. Obviously, many variations could be attempted and “voted on” by students to see what versions are most enjoyable.

As a teacher, you know that once you “invent” a new game that students enjoy, they will be clamoring to play again.

Check out VERB Anytime Doubletime

The recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Report, Participation in High School Physical Education – United States, 1991-2003, shared the unfortunate finding that “progress has not been made toward reaching the national health objectives for 2010 related to PE” (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 53(36), 844-847).

These objectives established in 2000, include (1) increase to ≥ 50% the proportion of adolescents who participate in daily school PE, and (2) increase to ≥ 50% the proportion of adolescents who spend at least half of school PE class time being physically active.

Clearly, objective number one is a policy issue that continues to be a “hot button” in many communities as schools are reluctant to mandate greater PE participation for fear of reducing academic achievement.

The report provides information relative to (a) the actual report cited above and (b) programs endorsed/developed by the CDC to improve physical activity among youth.

Okay, I am a bit embarrassed to admit where I read this (actually the October 25, 2004 issue of People Magazine). Would it be okay if I said my wife borrowed the magazine from a friend?

Anyway…the article describes the Academy of the Sierras, a private boarding school outside Fresno, California, for young people aged 13-18 reported to be the first ever school dedicated to educating obese teenagers. As a boarding school, the students receive a low calorie diet, mandatory daily exercise, severely limited TV or computer time, and each student must reach a minimum goal of 10,000 steps a day on their pedometer.

Being a private boarding school, of course, means these few students can receive private counseling, evening cooking classes, and personal training in fitness and exercise, among other things. And while candidly I find it sad that we have to even have such a thing as private schools for obese adolescents, in reading over the school “rules,” many could be applied to any high school in the country including (1) Walk at least 10,000 steps a day, (2) Exercise in the gym, ball fields, or pool everyday, (3) Restrict computers and TV for entertainment and only allow access for studying, (4) Eat three low fat means and two healthy snacks everyday (and no sneaking candy or other unhealthy snacks), and (5) Talk with family and friends on a weekly basis to discuss feelings about nutrition, exercise, body image, etc.

Over-eating and Under-exercising

You knew someone was bound to bring up over-eating and under-exercising just as we move into the holiday season. The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center website shares the following eight steps to help:

8-Steps to Surviving Holiday Weight Gain

Get Moving
	While this one seems so self-evident, we all know how hard it is to maintain especially as the weather turns cooler. The Cleveland Clinic recommends upwards of 200-minutes of aerobic exercise per week, but also note that any activity is better than none.
Aim for Five-a-Day
	The Clinic notes eating “five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day is a great way to help fill-up your stomach but not your calorie level.” Further, “when compared to other snack foods like chips, crackers and cookies, gram for gram, fruits and vegetables contain fewer calories and tons more nutrients.” All in all, pretty good advice.
Control the Risk for Temptation
	This is the old notion that if you can’t keep yourself from eating sweets, stop cruising down the candy isle.
Limit Holiday Snacks to One-a-Day
	Okay..okay…so we can’t say “no” to everything. Here the Clinic recommends the “one-a-day method” which allows yourself one small serving of a cookie or piece of candy each day during the holiday season.
Never Go to a Holiday Party Hungry
	Sort of like going grocery shopping when you are hungry, for this one the Clinic recommends having a “nutritious snack like a low-fat trail mix, a piece of fruit, cut-up vegetables, yogurt, whole grain crackers with peanut butter, or even a glass of skim milk before the party. This way you’ll be satisfied when entering the party and enjoy small portions of foods without overeating.”
Plan ahead and bring a low-calorie dish with you
	I particularly like this one. Because, let’s be honest, sometime the choices are pretty limited. This way you’ll have at least one good dish to choose from.
Say No Politely
	Depending on the setting, this one could be tough, but the Clinic recommends, learning to politely say "No thank you, I’ve had enough. Everything was delicious", or "I couldn’t eat another bite. Everything tasted wonderful.”
Focus on socializing
	Okay…another tough one, the Clinic recommends, “don’t stand around the food table when you are at a party – focus your energies on making conversation with others instead of focusing on foods. Conversation is calorie-free.”

Happy Holidays!!

"Twenty-five percent of U.S. children are overweight or at risk for becoming overweight, and that number is increasing rapidly. How did this overweight epidemic start and how can parents fight it? " Read this article.

Healthy Teens: Mission Possible
By Kendeyl Johansen

"This lack of exercise contributes to the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States, and obesity can eventually lead to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses.

Parents need to teach kids how to make healthy choices. "Don't expect kids to live a healthy and active lifestyle if their parents eat poorly and don't exercise," says Tony Sparber, owner of New Image Weight Loss Camps." Read more.