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Ga. Students Out of Shape: What's Being Done?
Tuesday, Oct 23, 2007 - 05:35 PM Updated: 04:21 PM
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Save This PageMore than half of Georgia's school children can't pass a fitness test. A new study says that's because they're out of shape.
The newly released Georgia Youth Fitness Assessment looked at 5,000 5th and 7th graders in 93 schools across the state. The results; 30% of those children weighed too much while 44 % didn't get enough exercise.
The study weighed and measured students and had them do a variety of fitness tasks including running back and forth in a set amount of time, modified pull-ups, lying on the ground and raising and lowering a bar. 52 % couldn’t pass the running portion while 57 percent did not meet the standards.
Local teachers and school nurses are taking steps to combat obesity. Last year, we told you about The Biggest Loser program at Islands Elementary.
School nurse, Margaret Buice started the program for teachers. The students enjoyed cheering for the teachers so much and wanted their own Biggest Loser program.
The program focuses on physical activity and making smart food choices.
“One of the things that we really want to encourage is increased activity, not only at home, but at school as well. Statistics have shown that increased activity within the school day improves academic performance. And so we want to offer as many opportunities as we can for our students to do that. We want to be sure that they get their recess time every day.” says Margaret Buice, Nurse at Islands Elementary School.
“For so long, we've had such a push toward academics that sometimes we forget that the exercise is an important part of that. I think we just assume that when the kids go home that they are able to be physically active, but many of our students go home and maybe there aren't parents there and they have to stay inside until parents come home.” Continues Buice.
She says once parents get home it’s time for dinner, homework and bed and it’s too late to go outside.
That’s why she says it’s so important that they get enough physical activity during the day.
Walking, skipping and jumping rope, just a few things physical education teacher, Nancy Neff, has her students doing to stay in shape.
Most elementary schools have physical education once a week or once every 6 or 7 days. (depending on resources.)
But at Islands, each grade has phys-ed. five days a week for six week sessions.
"Once that 6 weeks is up, I no longer see them in the gym." Explains Physical Education teacher, Nancy Neff.
That's why Neff hopes they're staying active outside.
Part of Superintendent, Dr. Thomas Lockamy's non-negotiables mandates 30 minutes of physical activity for students each day. At Islands Elementary, they only have an area to walk around and just a few pieces of playground equipment. Neff says that's not enough.
“There is nothing for them to work on their upper body strength. There is nothing for them to work on their balance and coordination, which turns around and helps them academically in the classroom.” Explains Neff.
Are these children getting enough physical activity during the day?
“I don't think it's enough but because of the academics that is required and so many things that the teachers have to teach, they're lucky to work in that 30 minutes a day.” adds Neff.
Michele Hartzell is Director of Health and Physical Education for the district.
"Elementary students have phys ed about once a week. Is that enough or do you feel like we're spending too much time in the classroom preparing for standardized tests?" I ask.
"Well they have phys ed once a week, but they have the physical activity 30 minutes per day so they are getting outside and moving and that's the whole goal this year is just the physical activity and trying to work on through our needs assessment what exactly is needed in our schools.” Explains Hartzell.
Hartzell says teachers are supposed to be promoting healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle in class and that there are more posters in the cafeterias and health and p.e. rooms.
Hartzell tells News 3 the district has a lot of great initiatives and partnerships. The district is working with the health department to do the school health index, which is an assessment for the schools. She says they’ve also partnered with the Mayor’s office and the City of Savannah Parks and Recreation Department to promote physical fitness.
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