Support for Physical Education as a Core Subject in Urban Elementary Schools

Abstract

Introduction Physical inactivity and childhood obesity are prevalent in American children, with increased vulnerability in minority, low-resource populations. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of physical education (PE) on in-school physical activity quantity and intensity in urban minority children attending public elementary schools. Methods This observational study included elementary children (N=212; mean age, 9.9 years; 81.7% black) in Grades 2–5 attending urban public schools with high eligibility for the National School Lunch Program. In-school physical activity was quantified during 4 school weeks across 4 months (January–April 2012) using Omron HJ-151 accelerometer–pedometers. Fitness was assessed with the 20-meter Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run. Data were analyzed in 2013 using generalized estimating equations to determine the influence of PE and sex on total in-school steps and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) steps. Results Based on 3,379 observation days (mean, 15.9 school days/student), students achieved higher in-school physical activity on days with PE (4,979 steps) than on days without PE (3,683 steps, p<0.0001). Likewise, MVPA steps were greater on days with PE than on days without PE (p<0.0001). Boys were more active than girls, but both accumulated more steps on days with PE. Low aerobic fitness was observed in 29.0% of students and overweight/obesity in 31.1%. Conclusions PE significantly increases total in-school and MVPA steps in urban minority elementary children. PE as a core subject can provide opportunities for urban, minority public school children in low-resource areas to achieve age-appropriate physical activity and fitness goals.

Sports Contribute to Total Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in School Children

“…Such long durations of MVPA were not even reached on days children engaged in both PE and OYS in our study. Two other studies (14,37) reported increases of MVPA by 50%–60% on days when school-age children attended PE classes, a result we could only confirm when comparing days without any sports activities to days with both PE and OYS. Regarding proportions of SB, we were able to confirm the results of Sigmund and colleagues (35) who observed a smaller proportion of total daily SB in children 9–11 yr old on days with PE compared with days without PE.…”

Failure to meet aerobic fitness standards among urban elementary students

“…Saint Louis Public Schools comply with the state-mandated requirement of 150 min of PA each week for elementary school students by providing 50 min/week of instructional PE by certified PE teachers and 20 min/day of recess ( Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education , Minutes of Instruction). We previously reported that children in elementary grades achieve higher in-school daily steps and more minutes of MVPA on days with PE class compared to days without PE ( Castillo et al, 2015 ; Racette et al, 2015 ), supporting the National Academy of Medicine's recommendation that all elementary school students should have PE daily ( Institute of Medicine, 2013 ). The amount of PE class time that is spent engaged in MVPA has been observed to be <40% of the time allocated ( Nader, 2003 ; Racette et al, 2015 ), whereas the National Academy of Medicine recommendation is that ≥50% of PE class time should be spent engaged in vigorous or moderate-intensity PA ( Institute of Medicine, 2013 ).…”

Implementing School-Based Policies to Prevent Obesity: Cluster Randomized Trial

“…For example, quality physical education predicts higher levels of physical activity in school. 6 School wellness policies that promote increased access to healthier foods and limit access to unhealthy foods have been linked to lower caloric intake 7 and improved student dietary quality 8,9 at school. There is emerging evidence that stronger state-level competitive food policies are associated with a healthier weight trajectory among middle school students.…”