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(Circulation. 2006;114:1214-1224.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.

AHA Scientific Statement

Promoting Physical Activity in Children and Youth

A Leadership Role for Schools: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Physical Activity Committee) in Collaboration With the Councils on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young and Cardiovascular Nursing

Russell R. Pate, PhD, FAHA, Chair; Michael G. Davis, PED; Thomas N. Robinson, MD, MPH, FAHA; Elaine J. Stone, PhD, MPH, FAHA; Thomas L. McKenzie, PhD; Judith C. Young, PhD

Key Words: AHA Scientific Statements • exercise • pediatrics • physical activity • prevention

An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract.

	Introduction

 
Schools have played a central role in the provision of physical activity to American children and youth for more than a century. Physical education (PE) has been an institution in American schools since the late 1800s,¹ and school sports have been a growing component of the educational enterprise since the early 1900s. Traditionally, students have engaged in physical activity during recess breaks in the school day and by walking or riding bicycles to and from school. However, as we move into the 21st century, alarming health trends are emerging, suggesting that schools need to renew and expand their role in providing and promoting physical activity for our nation’s young people.

Over the past 20 years, obesity rates in US children and youth have skyrocketed. Among children ages 6 to 11, 15.8% are overweight (95th percentile body mass index [BMI] for age) and 31.2% are overweight or at risk for overweight (85th percentile BMI for age).² Among adolescents ages 12 to 19, 16.1% are overweight (95th percentile BMI for age) and 30.9% are overweight or at risk for overweight (85th percentile BMI for age).² The rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity in American young people has occurred concurrently with other disquieting trends. Between 1991 and 2003, enrollment of high school students in daily PE classes decreased from 41.6% to 28.4%.³ Physically active transport to and from school has declined from previous generations; only one third of trips to school 1 mile and <3% of trips 2 . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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