The Benefits of Physically Active Kids

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CONCLUSION
Vigorous, Regular, Aerobic Physical Activity Improves Grades,
Stops Obesity, and Reduces the Risk of Early Chronic Diseases

The scientific research data is revealing, yet not surprising. The need for regular, vigorous, and aerobic in-school physical activity is clear and compelling:

  1. Regular, vigorous, aerobic physical activity improves scholarship and academic performance of school children.
  2. Physical activity resources are most appropriately and best administered in the nation's school system; they add an indispensable dimension to the educational process.
  3. Measured and validated aerobic activity programs based on scientific data are most effective in improving academics and stopping obesity and ECD.

Efforts to improve academics by eliminating regular physical education in schools have proven counter-productive. Contrary to the intent, children's scholastic performance is impeded and their health impaired when physical activity is no longer in the daily curriculum.

The obesity epidemic is relentless and escalating. Lifestyle-caused Early Chronic Diseases are ravaging children's lives and seriously impairing their quality of life now and in the future.

Only programs that elevate and monitor heart rates, include all children regardless of physical abilities, and remove inappropriate competition among children will significantly, positively, and lastingly effect the biometric and anthropometric markers for Obesity and ECD.

Learning can be improved, obesity can be stopped, and the acceleration of Early Chronic Diseases can be reversed. Schools are a significant and crucial part of the solution. Policy makers, administrators, politicians, teachers, and parents need to act now to save the current and future generations of children - the kids cannot help themselves.

They cannot wait any longer.



Peer-Reviewed Journals and Published Research

  1. Tremblay, et al. The Relationship Between Physical Activity, Self-Esteem, and Academic Achievement in 12-Year-Old Children. Pediatric Exercise Science. 2000;12:312-323.
  2. Etnier, Jennifer L., Sibley, Benjamin A. The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Cognition in Children: A Meta-Analysis. Pediatric Exercise Science. 2003;15.3:243-256.
  3. Datar, A., Magnabosco, J.L., Sturm, R. Childhood Overweight and Academic Performance: National Study of Kindergartners and First-Graders. Journal of Obesity Research. 2004;12.1:58-68.
  4. Mitchell, Debby, Ed.D., Scheuer, Leslee J. Does Physical Activity Influence Academic Performance? , Graduate Student and Dr. Debby Mitchell, Ed.D., Associate Professor Physical Education/Sports and Fitness, University of Central Florida, Orlando.
  5. Dietz, W. Consequences of Obesity in Youth: Childhood Predictors of Adult Disease. Pediatrics. 1998;101.3:518-525.
  6. Shephard, Roy J. Curricular Physical Activity and Academic Performance. Pediatric Exercise Science, 1997;9:113-126.
  7. Horlick, Michael F. Sunlight and Vitamin D for Bone Health and Prevention of Autoimmune Diseases, Cancers, and Cardiovascular Disease. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2004;80:1678S-1688S.
  8. Hambly, H., Nicolson, R.I., Reynolds, D. Evaluation of an Exercise-Based Treatment for Children with Reading Difficulties. Dyslexia. 2003;9.1:46-71.
  9. Cinelli, Symons. Bridging Student Health Risks and Academic Achievement Through Comprehensive School Health Programs. Journal of School Health. 1997;67.6:220.
  10. Gilliland, et al. Obesity in Children is Associated with an Increased Asthma Risk. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2003;158:406-515.
  11. Tomporowski, Phillip D. Acute Exercise's Effects on Cognition: A Multi-Stage Neuropsychological Explanation. University of Georgia.
  12. Dwyer, et al. Relation of Academic Performance to Physical Activity and Fitness in Children. Pediatric Exercise Science. 2001;13:225-237.
  13. Tomporowski, Phillip D. Cognitive and Behavioral Responses to Acute Exercise in Youths: A Review. Pediatric Exercise Science. 2003;15:348-359.
  14. Pelligrini, Smith. Physical Activity Play: The Nature and Function of a Neglected Aspect of Play. Child Development. 1998;69.3:577-598.
  15. Rickard, et al. The Play Approach to Learning in the Context of Families and Schools: An Alternative Paradigm for Nutrition and Fitness Education in the 21st Century. Journal of the American Dietetics Association. 1995;95:1121-1126.
  16. Byers, John A. The Biology of Human Play. Child Development. 1998;69.3:599-600.
  17. Hamilton, S.S. Evaluation of Clumsiness in Children. American Family Physician. 2002;66.8:1379,1435-1440.
  18. Graf, et al. Correlation Between BMI, Leisure Habits and Motor Abilities in Childhood (CHILT-Project). International Journal of Obesity. 2004;28.1:22-26.
  19. Dietz, Gortmaker. Preventing Obesity in Children and Adolescents. Annual Review of Public Health. 2001;22.3:37-53.
  20. Harrell, et al. School-Based Interventions Improve Heart Health in Children with Multiple Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors. Pediatrics. 1998;102.2:371-380.
  21. Ganley, Theodore, M.D. Exercise and Children's Health. American Journal of Public Health. 1998;88.6:949-951.
  22. National Institute for Health Care Management. Research Brief, Obesity in Young Children: Impact and Intervention. 2004.
  23. American Academy of Pediatrics. Prevention of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity. Pediatrics. 2003;112.2.424-430.
  24. Reuters Health Information. Medscape. 2004.
  25. Mona, et al. Evaluation and Management of Obesity in Children and Adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. 2004;18.1:35-38.
  26. Daniels, Stephen, Sorof, Jonathan. Obesity Hypertension in Children. A Problem of Epidemic Proportions. Hypertension. 2002;40:441-447.
  27. American Diabetes Association. Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2000;105.3:671-680.
  28. Must, et al. Long-Term Mortality and Morbidity of Overweight Adolescents. A Follow-Up of the Harvard Growth Study of 1922 to 1935. New England Journal of Medicine. 1992;327.19:1350-1355.
  29. SGMA. Report on Sports Participation. 2002.
  30. Ganley, Theodore, M.D. Exercise and Children's Health. The Physician and Sportsmedicine. 2000;28.2.
  31. Freedman, et al. Relationship of Childhood Obesity to Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors in Adulthood: The Bogalusa Heart Study. Pediatrics. 2001;108.3:712-718.
  32. American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update. 2004.
  33. American Diabetes Association. Press Statement. June 15, 2003.
  34. Schwimmer, et al. Health-Related Quality of Life of Severely Obese Children. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003;289:1813-1819.
  35. Daniels, et al. Association of Body Fat Distribution and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents. Circulation. 1999;99:541-545.
  36. Krahnstoever, Davison K. Girls' Body Fat at Age 5 Linked to Earlier Puberty. Pediatrics. 2003;111:815-821.
  37. Welk, Gregory J. Promoting Physical Activity in Children: Parental Influences. ERIC Digests. 1999.
  38. Woo, et al. Diet and Exercise Helps Reverse Vascular Dysfunction in Obese Children. Circulation. 2004;109:1981-1986.
  39. Ewart, C.K., et al. Effects of School-Based Aerobic Exercise on Blood Pressure in Adolescent Girls at Risk for Hypertension. Circulation. 2004.
  40. Tolfrey, K., et al. Exercise Training Induced Alterations in Prepubertal Children's Lipid-Lipoprotein Profile. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;30.12:1684-1692.
  41. Rickert, V.I. Perspectives in Pediatrics. Presented at Miami Children's Hospital's 38th Annual Pediatric Postgraduate Course. January 24-30, 2003.
  42. Renders, et al. Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes in Overweight Children. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2003;147.42:2060-2063.
  43. Sallis, James F., Ph.D. Overcoming Inactivity in Young People. The Physician and Sportsmedicine. 2000;28.10:31-32.
  44. Ferguson, et al. Effects of Exercise Training and its Cessation on Components of the Insulin Resistance Syndrome in Obese Children. International Journal of Obesity Related Metabolic Disorders. 1999;23.8:889-895.
  45. Ferguson, M., Gutin, B., Litaker, M., Okuyama, T., Owens, S., Riggs, S. Effect of Physical Training and its Cessation on Percent Fat and Bone Density of Children with Obesity. Obesity Research. 1999;7.2:208-214.
  46. Daniels, S., Sorof, J. Obesity and Hypertension in Children. Hypertension. 2002;40:441-447.
  47. Tyvalsky, F., et al. Fruit and Vegetable Intakes Are an Independent Predictor of Bone Size in Early Pubertal Children. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2004;79:311-317.
  48. Shaw, et al. Osteoporosis and Physical Activity. Research Digest Series 2, Issue 3.
  49. MacKelvie, et al. A School-Based Exercise Intervention Elicits Substantial Bone Health Benefits: A 2-Year Randomized Controlled Trial in Girls. Pediatrics. 2003;112.6:447-452.
  50. Bradney, et al. Moderate Exercise During Growth in Prepubertal Boys: Changes in Bone Mass, Size, Volumetric Density, and Bone Strength: A Controlled Prospective Study. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 1998;3.12:1814.
  51. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidelines for School and Community Programs to Promote Lifelong Physical Activity Among Young People. Journal of School Health, 1997;67.6:202.
  52. Public Health Service, Healthy People 2000, National health promotion and disease prevention objectives, No. 1.9, DHHS publication no. (PHS) 91-50212.
  53. Early Sport Foundation. Silver Mesa Study. 2003.
  54. McVey, Gail, et al. Dieting among preadolescent and young adolescent females. CMAJ, May 11, 2004; 170 (10).

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Three-quarters of overweight teens will become obese adults