According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately less than one-quarter (24%) of children 6 to 17 years of age participate in 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence is important for promoting lifelong health and well-being and preventing various health conditions. In fact, regular physical activity improves students' cardiorespiratory fitness, builds strong bones and muscles, control weight, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduces the risk of developing health conditions such as: heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and, of course obesity. Nationally, it is recommended that our students have a comprehensive physical education program for tackling physical activities in schools.
This approach is called the "Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program." This program establishes physical fitness guidelines which structure activities that are age appropriate, enjoyable and offer diversity. This includes an academic component for education on the skeletal and muscular systems of the human body, nutritional guidelines, and the relationship between a healthy body and cognitive performance.
Research clearly shows that students who are physically involved in activities achieve better grades, higher attendance, stronger cognitive performance, and better classroom behavior. This is why this proposal is so important for the development of our "Be the face of Fitness" program.
Our committee has recommended the following for our students in regard to physical activities and physical education:
• Aerobic Activity: Students should participate in 45 minutes of either moderate- or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical conditioning at least 3 times a week.
• Muscle-endurance: Students should participate in 45 minutes or more of daily physical strength training at least 3 times a week.
• Nutritional Education: Students should be involved in academic dialogue regarding proper nutrition and the impact on the human body at least once per week. This includes introducing nutritional measurements, guidelines, and goals in collaboration with our food service providers, faculty members, and family members.
Our objective is to continue to develop a middle school fitness program which will provide opportunities for cross academic collaboration with all areas of our school.
• Objective 1: Decrease in student obesity of participants from term one to term two.
• Objective 2: Increase in physical fitness as measured by the mile fitness test and curl-up test. Established guidelines and standards are provided for each gender and grade level.
• Objective 3: Increase in student academic performance as measured by our school district and the Florida Department of Education.
