Obesity on the Run

Recess is a significant part of a child’s life in elementary school. It gives them time to release their energy, play and interact, or simply unwind after a tiring lesson. Most importantly though, is the effect recess has on physical fitness. Without recess, children lack a time to exercise, especially if PE classes are held only once or twice a week.
Schools in Atlanta, Georgia have banned recess, planning to put the extra time into educational studies to improve testing scores and avoid lawsuits for playground injuries. Consequently, new schools in Atlanta have been built without playgrounds and students are sitting inside classrooms for more hours than they are accustomed to.
The benefits of cutting recess and PE are simple: the time is reverted to studies, and students have more time to learn in their normal curriculum. Additionally, it reduces chances of injury and truancy; the idea is for less distraction and, therefore, better test scores.
Some schools across the United States have looked into cutting physical education and recess from their curriculums, which could result in less active kids and an increase in obesity rates. Also, removing PE might actually create the opposite effect of its original intentions.
“Regular physical activity has been statistically proven to improve test scores and academic achievement,” PE teacher Tracy Fredell said.
Fortunately, schools in New York have found a way to counter this problem. New York Road Runners (NYRR), an organization that creates youth programs to promote physical fitness, has become involved in New York City schools’ physical education programs. Prior to programs set by NYRR, schools followed the state’s mandate for 120 minutes of PE a week for sixth graders and 90 minutes a week for seventh and eighth graders. With the NYRR operating in 450 schools within New York City, children are encouraged to run and are provided prizes based on how many miles they log.
One such program is Mighty Milers, which is designed to be integrated into a typical school day. Schools and community centers give students time to run or walk the distance of one to four marathons over the course of the year. As a result, the kids get to set goals for themselves, earning prizes as incentives along the way.
With these innovative methods of keeping students physically fit, perhaps schools that are looking for new ways to encourage exercise can follow the example of NYRR and lead future generations into a healthy lifestyle.

Diana Li
Staff Writer