Promoting happy and healthy kids
By Todd T. Russell
Mainers are too corpulent, too sedentary, and their health deficits are becoming too costly! A recently published Report Card on Physical Education and Health Education (www.maineahperd.org) indicates that state residents get a grade of D for the elevated numbers of over-weight and obese people — both children and adults. Heavy adults tend to die earlier and see physicians more frequently.
Poor health habits have an extreme economic impact. The CDC estimates the cost of U.S. obesity may be as high as $147 billion annually (July, 2009). In Maine, the estimates indicate that the total cost of annual medical expenditures, due to obesity is $357 million. Our health should be our wealth.
These problems demand immediate attention, but the solutions become a point of argument. Let me suggest a sensible approach. The state of Maine should fortify all physical education and health education programs in our schools.
Money expended for health and physical education is an investment in the state’s future. Remember, health and physical education is based on Benjamin Franklin’s admonition that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We cannot afford not funding these programs.
Health educators speak to children about bullying, substance use and abuse, sexually transmitted infections, stress management, healthy whole foods, conflict avoidance, and building self-efficacy. Physical educators encourage physically active lifestyles, skillful movement, teamwork, physical fitness, and weight management.
Ironically, physical education and health education are being reduced in many school districts throughout Maine. It is a false choice to say that reading and math testing takes precedence over our children’s health. Research should tell us that healthy children perform better academically. Healthy kids are more energetic, more resilient, and miss less school due to illness.
In the U.S., heart disease, cancer, and stroke are the three leading causes of death over all age groups. But, in teens age 12-19, accidents and suicide attempts are two of the five leading causes of death. CDC reports that one-half of all teenage deaths are the result of accidents. This is unacceptable.
Healthy and happy children mature into productive adult citizens. Physical education programs and school health instruction play an important role in shaping Maine’s future. I urge Governor LePage and the House and Senate to keep investing in the future health and prosperity of Maine. Let’s elevate physical education and health to a priority Number 1. After all, our health is truly our wealth.
Todd Russell of Presque Isle is an assistant professor of physical education at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. He can be reached via e-mail at todd.russell@umpi.edu.
