Manitoba schools aiming for a healthier lifestyle

Mandatory phys. ed in high school to promote healthy living

JUSTIN DAWSON

The gymnasium is a loud, tiring and fast-paced atmosphere that is subject to change at the sound of a whistle. It is the place in a school where students are able to engage in activities on the path to a healthy lifestyle. If they are taught to understand the benefits associated with daily physical activity and proper nutrition, they can attain this lifestyle and have the knowledge necessary to maintain it for a lifetime.

The province of Manitoba’s “Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures” task force has implemented a mandate for the beginning of the 2008 school year that will make physical education or some form of health class in grade 11 and 12 mandatory for graduation. This is a substantial change for the program to undergo, from a once un-sturdy structure to a solid learning foundation for all students alike. During this transition, the physical education program will provide an environment for students where health education is in constant motion and only slows to make changes that are seen fit.

The mandate, which will undoubtedly have a positive effect on future students, came as a result of the childhood and adolescent obesity pandemic that has stricken our province, nation and essentially the western world as a whole. The guidelines for this mandate were structured after conclusive evidence proved that the existing recommendations for the amount of physical activity required to maintain healthy lifestyles were not, in fact, maintaining healthy bodies or, as a result, healthy minds.

Currently, physical education or health classes are not required at the grade 11 or 12 level, which is a pretty good indication as to why our society is plagued with obesity problems. Take for example the fact that in the past 25 years, overweight youth have become more than twice as prevalent; the rate of obesity has increased from 14 to 29 percent in children aged two to 17. Likewise, the rate of obesity among children has tripled from three per cent of our population to an unhealthy nine per cent for the same age group.

The mandate, which will now enforce the promotion of physical activity in schools through arguably the two most important years of a school career, also aims to incorporate parents and community leaders in the promotion of healthy lifestyles through their encouragement, approval and even participation.

There are countless benefits associated with daily physical activity, including increased interest and improved results in academic performance, better weight control, and increased self-esteem, as well as a stronger social, emotional, and intellectual mind-set. Also, physical activity on a daily basis reduces the risk of many diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, some forms of cancer and osteoperosis.

Of course, with physical activity, there also has to be healthy eating to reach the potential benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Another benefit of the mandate is that those involved will make a push for more pronounced health and nutrition courses.

As a future physical educator myself, the implementation of mandatory physical education is definitely a great stride in the right direction to generate awareness, ensure a healthy nation and enable everyone to realize the fun and fascination that comes as a result of fitness.