Half of School-Age Children Don't Get Enough Exercise

Despite what our gym teacher might preach, throwing around a tetherball just doesn't cut it when it comes to exercise at the school house.

And as gym classes in educational facilities don't usually happen every day, a new study suggests that educational professionals need to engage their kids in at least 60 minutes per day of vigorous or moderately intense physical activity.

According to the Institute of Medicine, estimates suggest that only about half of school-age children meet this evidence-based guideline for promoting better health and development. The report recommends that most daily physical activity occur during regular school hours in physical education classes, recess or breaks, and classroom exercises, with additional opportunities available through active commutes to and from school, before- and after-school programs, and participation in intramural or varsity sports.

"Schools are critical for the education and health of our children," said Harold W. Kohl III, professor of epidemiology and kinesiology at the University of Texas School of Public Health and chair of the committee that wrote the report, according to a press release.  "They already provide key services such as health screenings, immunizations, and nutritious meals.  Daily physical activity is as important to children's health and development as these other health-related services, and providing opportunities for physical activity should be a priority for all schools, both through physical education and other options."

The report calls on the U.S. Department of Education to designate physical education as a core academic subject to draw attention and attract the resources necessary to enhance content, instruction, and accountability. As most states currently have laws addressing the need for more physical educations in schools, there are no consistent nationwide policies. The committee recommends that 30 minutes per day in elementary school and 45 minutes per day in middle and high schools be devoted to physical education, and students should spend at least half that time engaged in vigorous or moderate-intensity physical activity.  But it emphasizes that physical education cannot be the sole source of physical activity; additional opportunities should exist throughout the school environment.

The study was sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.