"Physical Education in America's Public Schools"

Childhood obesity has been an issue of concern in America for the past several years. In "Physical Education in America's Public Schools," from the University of Michigan website, Kathy Speregen outlines the history of the issue and emphasizes that it is a growing issue. She notes the effects and dangers of childhood obesity: "Children who are overweight or obese experience many symptoms which effect their learning in schools. Not only do weight problems lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint problems, asthma, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and diabetes, but children who are overweight miss as much as four times as much school as children of normal weight." These are just a few of the several ways obesity negatively affects children. Speregen offers some solutions to the issue. She asserts that state legislations are responsible for being proactive about the problem. Speregen claims: "Daily physical education has declined and the prevalence of being physically active during physical education classes have remained the same. Other ideas include a few states that are considering measuring each students Body Mass Index and/or requiring schools to send a health report to parents, similar to an academic report."