The Role of Physical Activity in the Prevention of Obesity
Introduction
As a nation we need to acknowledge that the prevention of obesity, which affects approximately one in four children today beginning in childhood, offers the most effective means of achieving a healthy weight. Therefore, how do we prevent childhood obesity and what strategies can be implemented that will increase and promote awareness of increased physical activity amongst young children? A whole of society approach can play a major role in addressing and or preventing obesity. If young children can be educated and informed about the important benefits of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle through participation of family, media, health and school environments, and apply what they learn to everyday habits, then maybe the percentage of children who are obese today will decrease (Australian Medical Association, 2009).
This essay will outline the importance of physical activity for Middle Childhood and discuss the role a teacher could play in addressing and or preventing obesity. Additionally detailed are three possible strategies a teacher could pro-actively implement into their classroom in addressing and or preventing obesity of children throughout their Middle Childhood years, in order to help prevent and manage this health epidemic that currently exists in Australia.
Why is Physical Activity Important for Middle Childhood?
For young children physical activity can be an enjoyable developing experience, however physical activity levels can start to decrease as early as Middle Childhood (6-10 years) by as much as fifty percent. Therefore it is of great importance that physical activity, which can be defined as any movement produced by our bodies that result in energy expenditure, is continued during Middle Childhood as they grow and develop as this can further benefit them (McDevitt and Ormrod, 2010).
Participating in daily physical activities can be associated with having many positive effects on various domains of a child’s development and
As a nation we need to acknowledge that the prevention of obesity, which affects approximately one in four children today beginning in childhood, offers the most effective means of achieving a healthy weight. Therefore, how do we prevent childhood obesity and what strategies can be implemented that will increase and promote awareness of increased physical activity amongst young children? A whole of society approach can play a major role in addressing and or preventing obesity. If young children can be educated and informed about the important benefits of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle through participation of family, media, health and school environments, and apply what they learn to everyday habits, then maybe the percentage of children who are obese today will decrease (Australian Medical Association, 2009).
This essay will outline the importance of physical activity for Middle Childhood and discuss the role a teacher could play in addressing and or preventing obesity. Additionally detailed are three possible strategies a teacher could pro-actively implement into their classroom in addressing and or preventing obesity of children throughout their Middle Childhood years, in order to help prevent and manage this health epidemic that currently exists in Australia.
Why is Physical Activity Important for Middle Childhood?
For young children physical activity can be an enjoyable developing experience, however physical activity levels can start to decrease as early as Middle Childhood (6-10 years) by as much as fifty percent. Therefore it is of great importance that physical activity, which can be defined as any movement produced by our bodies that result in energy expenditure, is continued during Middle Childhood as they grow and develop as this can further benefit them (McDevitt and Ormrod, 2010).
Participating in daily physical activities can be associated with having many positive effects on various domains of a child’s development and
References: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, (2004). Active kids are healthy kids. [Brochure] Canberra, ACT: Author. Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/9D7D393564FA0C42CA256F970014A5D4/$File/kids_phys.pdf Australian Medical Association. (2009). Obesity – 2009. Barton, ACT: doctors4health. Retrieved from http://ama.com.au/node/3033 Elliot, E & Sanders, S. (2002). Children and Physical Activity. The Importance of Movement and Physical Activity. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/teachers/earlychildhood/articles/physical.html McDevitt, T. M & Ormrod, J. E. (2010). Child Development and Education. (4th ed.) New Jersey: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall. National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). (2004). The Role of Schools in Preventing Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/physicalactivity/pdf/roleofschools_obesity.pdf New South Wales Department of Health, (2009). NSW Government Plan for Preventing Overweight and obesity in children, young people & their families. North Sydney, NSW: Author. Retrieved from http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/resources/publichealth/healthpromotion/obesity/pdf/obesityactionplan.pdf Rink,J., Hall,T. & Williams,L. (2010), Schoolwide Physical Activity A Comprehensive Guide to Designing and Conducting Programs. Retrieved from http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/the-role-and-responsibilities-of-the-physical-education-teacher-in-the-school-physical-activity-program