The ultimate teachers' resource for PE class


A Guide To The Importance of Physical Education Programs

Physical activity offers a broad range ofsolid foundation in healthy eating choices
benefits, including the prevention ofcan help lay the groundwork for improved food
obesity, improved self confidence, and anchoices. Children who eat regular, healthy
overall sense of well-being. Physicalmeals consisting of a wide range of food
education programs within the school settingchoices concentrate better in school and are
can set the stage for how children viewless disruptive. Healthy eating also
physical fitness, activity levels, and futuredecreases the chances of children developing
health. Physical education programs alsoserious health problems early in life and
include general health and safety informationreduces obesity rates among youth and into
in addition to providing opportunities foradulthood.
students to learn how to cooperate with one
another  in  a  team  setting.Life  Skills
A  Lifetime  of  HealthPhysical education also provides an
opportunity for children to develop critical
The school setting provides a structuredlife skills, such as problem solving,
atmosphere in which to incorporate physicalstrategy, and working together. Many team
health activities and ideally develop healthysports require participants to work together
habits for life. Studies indicate thatto achieve a goal. Children also learn the
promotion of a healthy lifestyle taught inbasics of good sportsmanship and that there
physical education classes can influenceis much more to sports and physical
long-term health benefits such as reducedactivities than simply winning or losing.
rates of obesity, heart disease, highSports require training, mental and physical
cholesterol, diabetes, and high bloodpreparation,  and help build self-confidence.
pressure.
Mental  Health
Perhaps just as importantly, physical
education programs can teach students thatRegular physical activity has shown to have
physical activity can be fun. With a broadmany psychological and mental benefits in
range of games and activities, children areaddition to the physical ones. For example,
exposed to forms of exercise that don'tregular exercise can reduce feelings of
simply involve running around a track. Gamesdepression and anxiety and promote an overall
and other activities incorporate teamwork,sense of well-being. The increased blood flow
strategy,  skill-building exercises, and fun.during exercise transports oxygen to all
parts of the body, including the brain, which
Nutritional  Informationcan help improve memory and reasoning skills.
Conversely, a lack of oxygen, which can
Physical education classes are ideal forresult from not enough deep breathing, can
introducing basic nutritional concepts tolead to disorientation, confusion, fatigue,
children. Poor eating habits are common amongand memory and concentration difficulties.
many children and adolescents; however, a



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