Studies have shown that some type of regular physical activity can greatly reduce the cause for most cases of death which means exercise has many healthy benefits. A habit of some type of physical activity at least three times a week can reduce heart disease, diabetes, many forms of cancer and one of the most heated discussions in recent years obesity. Many studies have shown that obesity is the catalyst that form many of the problems listed above.
With the United States facing an overwhelming obesity rate especially among children, many adults and teens are activity participating in some type of regular exercise. Many schools have cut physical educational programs, and less that 30% of high school students are engaged in regular physical activity. With adults and a significant number of youth not exercising on a regular bases, the CDC has designed recommendations to educate the public about exercising and establishing interventions to a number of growing health issues (Increasing Physical Activity Center for Disease Control [CDC], 2001).
This review will look at two different types of interventions, the CDC recommendations for each intervention, and result of each intervention. Childhood obesity has increased rapidly in the last 20 years. It was expected that children would get some type of moderate to vigorous exercise during the course of a school day. However, many school districts have made major budget cuts in the areas of arts and physical education. The CDC has concluded that schools need physical education classes to lower the rate of obesity and give children a start to a healthy adult life.
The type of intervention programs recommended by the CDC seeks to increase the length of the physical education classes and have the children more engaged in a vigorous activities. Interventions also included implementing different types of activity such as baseball/softball or modifying rules for games like team running the bases in softball/baseball (Enhanced Physical Education Classes… The Community Guide, 2005). Fourteen studies were conducted and in all cases there was an improvement of physical activity.
In five of the studies conducted measuring the amount of physical activity, all showed an increase in the time spent on the activity and the type of activity the students were engaged. It is important to note that physical educational classes must be viewed as a necessary tool to a child’s academic success. It is estimated that it takes the average person at least 7-14 days to establish a habit good or bad. The result of the studies also concluded that changing the PE program would increase the level of the activity by 8%.
The best part to note about these studies is that increasing the level of intensity of the activity or changing the program did not lower the academic level of the kids (Enhanced Physical Education Classes… The Community Guide, 2005). Initial studies have determined that some type of physical activity is necessary for children as well as adults. The location for physical activities is just as important as the activity itself. The interventions conducted in ten studies looked at different work places, community and different agencies involved in creating areas for physical activities.
The areas included trails for walking, constructing exercise buildings or using existing sites. The studies also looked at training and health education for participants, instructors and doctors. All studies concluded that creating the proper environment increased the number of people at least 25% in vigorous exercising a minimum of three times a week. Weight loss and a lower BMI (body mass index) were found in all 10 studies. Among men and women the positive results were the same (Creating or Improving Access…
The Community Guide, 2005). Both types of intervention showed an improvement in physical fitness. Both groups of interventions also dealt with location for these types of activities. Whether physical exercise is conducted in a school setting or another type of facility, the important factor is that exercising is beneficial from young to old in both men and women. References Increasing Physical Activity. ( 2001). A Report on Recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Centers for Disease Control.
Retrieved from http://www. cdc. gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5018a1. htm Guide to Community Preventive Services. (2005). Creating or Improving Access to Places for Physical Activity is Recommended to Increase Physical Activity. Centers for Disease Control. Retrieved from http://www. thecommunityguide.. org/pa/pa-int-school-pe. Guide to Community Preventive Services. (2005). Providing Social Support in Community Settings is Recommended to Promote Physical Activity. Retrieved from http://www. thecommunityguide.. org/pa/pa-int-comm-soc-support.