By the early twentieth century, the idea that contemporary living was unhealthy and lead to mass lethargy had begun to find an important ally in the emerging field of scientifically grounded medicine. Elsewhere, in his portentously titled The Word, the Flesh and the Devil (1929), the distinguished scientist J. D. Bernal predicted that, unless new functions were found for the human body, which he saw as trapped in a fast technologically changing world, it would be bestowed with altogether through sheer lack of use. Thus, in this context, physical education is also a motivating case in point.
Usually a low-status school subject, physical education has been the subject of occasional government and general public interest throughout times of crisis, such as wars and social unrest. Howell and Ingham (2001) suggest that this was mostly true in the US around the time of the Korean War when authorities were distressed by the number of young men who failed the physical tests. But as others have pointed, it is hard to find an historical example in which Western governmental and/or medical authorities have been something other than shocked by what tests have ‘revealed’ about the physical state of its citizenry (Kirk 1998).
Current university studies of the physical skill levels of American children were interpreted as proof of a general physical deterioration, even though no data exist against which these tests could be compared. The release of these results was convoyed by calls for more time for physical education (Raethel 1998). In conclusion I must say that the nutrition and physical education programs for obese children used by numerous dietitians can be based on the exchange system of the American Dietetic and the American Diabetic Associations, in which food equivalents are stressed.
In this system, foods are grouped into 6 basic categories (starch, meat, vegetable, fruit, milk, and fat), and exchanges within each group can be chosen based on macronutrient and kcal content. For example, one exchange from the starch list contains 80 kcals, derived from 20 grams of carbohydrate. An ounce of bread or one-half cup of cereal or corn represents one starch exchange. The numeral of exchanges per group required to attain a certain caloric intake is provided in tables, so that an individual can select amongst many various foods.
Although this system can be useful for those who have the time and determine to use it. An increase in daily physical activity encourages fitness by reducing the risk of chronic disease and by worsening mortality rates. It is estimated in a study that more than fifteen people, those individuals who spent thirty minutes a day walking briskly three days per week drastically reduced their risk of dying from heart disease, cancer, and other causes contrasted with those who did not walk.
In a current follow-up of this study population, the researchers concluded that low fitness levels were such great predictors of mortalities that even the participants who smoked cigarettes although remained fairly active had reduced mortality rates (Blair et al, 1996). In a group of seventeen thousand male Harvard alumni, mortality rates were 21% lower for men who walked 9 miles per week compared to those who sauntered 3 miles or less per week. Although increased, physical activity develops health, which could be defined as the absence of disease, no single commendation for increasing exercise or daily activity has been accepted.
Instead, exercise commendations have been made for enhancing health lessening risk factors for chronic disease and for enhancing fitness increasing VO 2max, muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance. Three brief ten-minute periods of proper activity all through the day have also been suggested as an alternative to one longer period of exercise (DeBusk et al, 1990). To develop fitness, on the other hand, an increase in exercise intensity, frequency, and duration is suggested.
This amounts to exercise relating large muscle groups at least five times per week for 15 to 60 minutes at moderate-high intensity. At this intensity breathing rate is augmented yet the individual must still be competent of some conversation. Whether the goal is to develop physical fitness or to enhance health, those who do exercise frequently might receive some or all of the following benefits: Improved cardiovascular function Improved strength Reduced body fat and improved lean body mass Better blood lipid profiles
Diminished risk of chronic disease Relaxing sleep Improvement in measures of diabetes, obesity, or hypertension, which comprise decreased blood glucose, weight loss, and decreased blood pressure Though increasing physical activity through structured exercise might result in many of the above benefits, several of these same benefits can be attained by increasing the daily activities of normal life, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking instead of driving, gardening, washing the car, and keenly playing with kids etc.
Besides all, it would be true to say that there is an optimistic relation amid viewing unhealthy health-related messages on television and poor health behaviors and facts. As good nutrition and good health are so intimately reliant on each other, we are indebted to our children to confer them every prospect to learn and practice good nutritional practice. Perceptibly a middling that reaches millions of children (for hours every day would be an idyllic place to present more perfect health-related images and nutritional information.
Reference:
• Adams, M. J. , Bereuter, C. , Carruthers, I. , Case, R. , Hirshberg, J. , McKeough, A. , et al. (2000). Open court reading. Columbus, OH: SRA/McGraw-Hill. • Bandyopadhyay, S. , Kindra, G. , & Sharp, L. (2001). Is television advertising well for children? Areas of concern and policy implications. International Journal of Advertising, 20(1), 89–116.