Physical Activity in Low Income Families

Regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status, physical activity is important for physical, mental, and emotional health. There are numerous benefits of physical activity including: weight control, decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, decreased risk of type two diabetes, decreased risk of metabolic syndrome, decreased risk of some cancers, strengthening of bones and muscles, improved mental health and mood, improved ability to perform activities of daily living, increased life span, and many more. Physical activity can be found in many forms, from going on a walk, jog, or run to participation in organized sport. The type of physical activity is not the focus, but rather the frequency of participation. Daily participation in physical activity is essential, especially for children. Many schools have recently struggled to implement daily physical education programs for all students due to the high demands of academic achievement. These schools are not offering comprehensive physical education programs, but are only offering the class once a week. Due to low standardized testing scores in math, English, and science, schools feel that it is justified to cut back on the frequency of physical education sessions. In children, it has been shown that physical activity is essential for mental, physical and emotion development (Greenberg and Silvestri, 2007). Due to the decrease in physical education sessions available in school, community based organizations are needed to offer after-school and weekend programs so that children are able to reach the recommended levels of daily physical activity (Greenberg and Silvestri, 2007). Even with community based organizations available, low-income families may continue to struggle to reach the daily recommended levels of physical activity. These organizations are often fee-based or are too expensive for low-income families to afford. Programs such as 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Title V funds, or Title 2,

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