Physical Education in Schools
Physical Education in Schools - Both Quality and Quantity are Important
Daily quality physical education in the nation’s schools is an important part of a student’s
comprehensive, well-rounded education program and a means of positively affecting life-long
health and well-being. The optimal physical education program will foster a lifetime
commitment to physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. Ultimately, improved coordinated
school health programs, of which physical education is a central component, will augment other
prevention efforts and help to reverse the growing epidemic of childhood obesity which threatens
to undo decades of progress in the fight against cardiovascular and other diseases. Effective
efforts made now will help children avoid a lifetime of chronic disease and disability.
A Statement from the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, and the
American Heart Association on Physical Education
American Heart Association on Physical Education
Daily quality physical education in the nation’s schools is an important part of a student’s
comprehensive, well-rounded education program and a means of positively affecting life-long
health and well-being. The optimal physical education program will foster a lifetime
commitment to physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. Ultimately, improved coordinated
school health programs, of which physical education is a central component, will augment other
prevention efforts and help to reverse the growing epidemic of childhood obesity which threatens
to undo decades of progress in the fight against cardiovascular and other diseases. Effective
efforts made now will help children avoid a lifetime of chronic disease and disability.
