| Physical activity offers a broad range of | | | | however, a solid foundation in healthy eating |
| benefits, including the prevention of | | | | choices can help lay the groundwork for |
| obesity, improved self confidence, and an | | | | improved food choices. Children who eat |
| overall sense of well-being. Physical | | | | regular, healthy meals consisting of a wide |
| education programs within the school setting | | | | range of food choices concentrate better in |
| can set the stage for how children view | | | | school and are less disruptive. Healthy |
| physical fitness, activity levels, and future | | | | eating also decreases the chances of children |
| health. Physical education programs also | | | | developing serious health problems early in |
| include general health and safety information | | | | life and reduces obesity rates among youth |
| in addition to providing opportunities for | | | | and into adulthood.Life SkillsPhysical |
| students to learn how to cooperate with one | | | | education also provides an opportunity for |
| another in a team setting.A Lifetime of | | | | children to develop critical life skills, |
| HealthThe school setting provides a | | | | such as problem solving, strategy, and |
| structured atmosphere in which to incorporate | | | | working together. Many team sports require |
| physical health activities and ideally | | | | participants to work together to achieve a |
| develop healthy habits for life. Studies | | | | goal. Children also learn the basics of good |
| indicate that promotion of a healthy | | | | sportsmanship and that there is much more to |
| lifestyle taught in physical education | | | | sports and physical activities than simply |
| classes can influence long-term health | | | | winning or losing. Sports require training, |
| benefits such as reduced rates of obesity, | | | | mental and physical preparation, and help |
| heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, | | | | build self-confidence.Mental HealthRegular |
| and high blood pressure.Perhaps just as | | | | physical activity has shown to have many |
| importantly, physical education programs can | | | | psychological and mental benefits in addition |
| teach students that physical activity can be | | | | to the physical ones. For example, regular |
| fun. With a broad range of games and | | | | exercise can reduce feelings of depression |
| activities, children are exposed to forms of | | | | and anxiety and promote an overall sense of |
| exercise that don't simply involve running | | | | well-being. The increased blood flow during |
| around a track. Games and other activities | | | | exercise transports oxygen to all parts of |
| incorporate teamwork, strategy, | | | | the body, including the brain, which can help |
| skill-building exercises, and fun.Nutritional | | | | improve memory and reasoning skills. |
| InformationPhysical education classes are | | | | Conversely, a lack of oxygen, which can |
| ideal for introducing basic nutritional | | | | result from not enough deep breathing, can |
| concepts to children. Poor eating habits are | | | | lead to disorientation, confusion, fatigue, |
| common among many children and adolescents; | | | | and memory and concentration difficulties. |