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| Many school physical
education programs have been cut back |
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A health advocacy group says a childhood spent as a couch potato
produces an adult who is more open than others to chronic ailments such as heart
disease.
The National Association for Sport and Physical Education issued guidelines Wednesday
calling for physical activity to start early and continue throughout life.
"Extended periods of inactivity are not appropriate for normal, healthy children ...
Since most chronic illnesses such as heart disease are a result of cumulative unhealthy
lifestyles, what is done in childhood and youth affects health and functioning later in
life," according to the guidelines.
They were compiled by Charles B. Corbin and Robert P. Pangrazi of the Department of
Exercise Science at Arizona State University at Tempe.
TV, computers don't help
In an age when many children are spending too much time watching television or
sitting at computers, as many as 40 percent of children 5 to 8 years old show at least
one sign of heart-disease risk, the guidelines show.
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| One reason kids are more
out of shape than ever ... televison |
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The association recommends that healthy elementary schoolchildren be encouraged to
take part in vigorous and varied physical activity for at least an hour a day -- and up
to several hours if possible.
The guidelines say children thrive on variety and frequent breaks in their physical
activity, unlike the intense, shorter, continuous exercise programs designed for adults.
Physical education teachers applaud the new guidelines, but say they can't be
expected to give kids extra hours of exercise when some elementary schools only have
physical education classes two days a week.
"Our focus is just not there. We are focusing on other things, other academics, and
we've kind of lost the physical education part of it," said
Debbie Spring,
a physical education teacher.
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Another P.E. teacher,
Jim Moyer,
added, "I wish we had them five days a week. It's been many, many years since I had any
class like that."
The authors of the study suggest that kids do P.E. homework.
"Practice things that they've done in physical education class," suggested Judy Young
of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education.
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Parents can help
Parents can help by setting a good example and exercising with their children,
experts said.
An example: the family of 12-year-old
Jessica Robinson, who was motivated by a doctor's warning to start an exercise
program.
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| A health advocacy group
says children should be active for at least one hour a day |
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"It's basically for my health, because I'm worried ... I'm afraid I'm going to die or
something," she said.
Jessica's parents are taking an active role in their daughter's lifestyle change.
They are also reaping rewards.
"My blood pressure was high when we started on the program," said
her
father, Jim. "I am pleased to announce that because of exercise and watching the
diet, it's down well within normal range."
The experts say it's never too early for parents to begin teaching their children the
importance of physical activity.
"It's trying to get kids to adopt a physically active behavior -- and behavior
pattern -- and so that will carry into adulthood," said
Randy Claytor
of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Correspondents Pat Etheridge and Kathleen Koch and The
Associated Press contributed
to this report.
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