New State Standards May Help Childhood Obesity

​Last week I outlined the positive steps that the State of Nebraska is taking in terms of implementing new Physical Education standards. To recap, the new Physical Education standards are shifting focus from sports based curriculum, to fitness-based curriculum. Classes on conditioning and flexibility, yoga, outdoor pursuits and individual sports will take the place of some basketball, flag-football, and team sports activities in required Physical Education classes. Most likely the team-sports classes will still be offered as electives.
 
This implementation of new state standards is important, but it is State of Nebraska educational mandates that are necessary to see results in childhood obesity rates. The new state standards set the standard for what Physical Education “should” look like. However, local school districts still have the freedom to operate their Physical Education programs however they see fit. The State of Nebraska issues mandates (must-do’s) for core subjects such as math, science, english, and social studies. The need for mandates in these subjects is very important, as adaptation is necessary to meet the demands of an educationally evolving world.
 
While the new obesity rates (31%, 14th highest in the country), one might suggest that we mandate more Physical Education minutes to the educational schedule. By adding Physical Education minutes, you would have to take away from another subject. With the “core” classes secure, the cuts would come from music or arts programs. Further cuts to these fine arts programs would have a severe impact on the artistic and creative development of our children.  Fine arts, like physical activity, are something that we want our children to participate more in. Cutting fine arts programs to make room more Physical Education is creating a problem, instead of answering one. 
 
The answer to the problem of childhood obesity lies within the “core” of our educational system. Check back next week to see how this is possible.