This Education Policy Brief examines the latest research and statistics regarding childhood obesity. In addition to providing an overview of current trends and effects of childhood obesity, this brief considers the reasons for the increase in obesity rates among children, as well as the latest federal and state initiatives created to combat…

Physical inactivity is a key determinant of health across the lifespan. A lack of activity increases the risk of heart disease, colon and breast cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression and others diseases. Emerging literature has suggested that in terms of mortality, the global population health burden of…

A quality physical education program is at the heart of any plan to promote lifelong participation in physical activity, but it has become evident at many schools that physical education specialists alone cannot address the physical activity needs of children. This is why a series of studies were conducted to develop strategies for the…

Since 1923, Minnesota educators have been engaged in teaching and promoting Physical Education. In 2005, it has become apparent that the 2,500 physical education instructors in Minnesota are in need of a Best Practices document to support quality Physical Education. As a result, this manual has been developed to provide assistance to school…

These New York State performance standards focus on: (1) personal health and fitness (students will have the necessary knowledge and skills to establish and maintain physical fitness, participate in physical activity, and maintain personal health); (2) a safe and healthy environment (students will acquire the knowledge and ability necessary to…

In September 2000, the Physical Education Kindergarten to Grade 12 Program of Studies was approved for implementation in Alberta, Canada. This program helps enable individuals to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to lead an active, healthy lifestyle. The four general outcomes are the ABCDs (Activity, Benefits Health,…

Consistent with the Year 2000 National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives, this paper presents a proposal for a Wellness Clinician/Research specialization within the existing Master of Education in Physical Education degree program offered by the Division of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at Wayne State University…

The purpose of this guide is to enable schools and school districts to develop, select or assess a comprehensive health enhancement curriculum that combines health and physical education into one integrated program. The evaluation instruments in this booklet were developed by the Montana Office of Public Instruction around the newly adopted…

This guide is designed to encourage educators as well as parents and community members to view physical education as an integral component of the school's educational program. It can be used for curriculum building and as an example of what represents current best practices in physical education. Model learner outcomes cover eight areas of study:…

The "Missouri Framework for Curriculum Development" is designed to provide school districts with a "frame" for building curricula based on the "Show Me Standards." The 73 "Show Me Standards" define what students should know and be able to do by the time they graduate from Missouri's public high schools. This…

Teachers in a large, urban school district created Wellness Wednesday, a program in which students invite family members and school staff members to join them every other Wednesday for an aerobic workout. The article describes how the program works and notes successful program ideas. (SM)

This reference book provides 20 real-life examples of how to implement the "Guidelines for School and Community Programs to Promote Lifelong Physical Activity among Young People," developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The book also summarizes the CDC guidelines. Based on the recommendations from national…

Comprehensive health enhancement programs (CHEPs) are a curricular area required by new Montana accreditation standards. The curriculum combines the disciplines of health and physical education into an integrated, holistic, health-oriented program. A CHEP incorporates an expanded concept of health services--healthy school environment, employee…

This guide provides school leaders with a framework and tools for developing and implementing a comprehensive school health program. Theoretical and scientific information relating to students' needs is outlined, and approaches that have proven successful in other schools are described. The book is divided into three parts: The first, "Why…

This book presents a collection of papers that define comprehensive school health programs and their components and provide action steps for their implementation at the local, state, and national levels: (1) "Linking Health and Learning: An Overview of Coordinated School Health Programs" (Floretta Dukes McKenzie and Julius B. Richmond); (2)…