The Importance of Physical Education

High-quality health and physical education programs help students succeed in life.

At the moment, it looks like we're losing the fight against inactivity and obesity in our young people. We are raising the most sedentary and unhealthy generation in Indian history: Its members may have the dubious distinction of being the first generation not to outlive their parents.
Meaningful, high-quality health and physical education is one of the best strategies we have to reverse this trend. And, not only does good health and physical education increase the chances that our young people will live healthier, more productive life spans, it pays off in the classroom, as well.
Let's look at some of the reasons we're in our current physical condition, and how and why we can start changing attitudes, in both the younger and older populations, about healthy living and exercise.
Our dietary choices aren't helping, either. The parents of today are the second generation of families raised in a fast-food culture. Many families find that the convenience of fast food, coupled with the opportunity not to make a mess at home, is the quick and easy way to satisfy hunger. However, as we all know, most fast food falls short in providing the healthy nutrition that children need. And the high fat and sugar contents are helping contribute to growing rates of heart disease and diabetes in young people.
As we ingest fast food, junk food and other menu items of questionable nutritious value, we don't burn the calories the way our predecessors did. We've become a push-button, quick-fix, take-a-pill kind of society. We all have cars and drive them constantly, even if we're just going around the corner to the store. Instead of walking to the house or office next door to visit, or meeting in the park for a walk, we're on cell phones, sending e-mails, or hanging out on social media sites. Our jobs have us sitting at desks most of every day.

It doesn't have to be this way. And it shouldn't be, either.
Quality health and physical education programs can be life-changing for today's young people and, in many cases, already are. Such programs offer students a well-rounded opportunity to develop their bodies and minds to gain skills that will propel them to success in both the physical and academic aspects of education-and life. Good health and physical education programs provide the structure and discipline that young people need to perform in school effectively, make positive choices in their lives, persevere to see a project through to the end, and earn the respect of their peers. Our society seems to be struggling with these things.
Why Children Need Physical Education:-
Physical education is an integral part of the total education of every child in kindergarten through high school. Quality physical education programs are needed to increase the physical competence, health-related fitness, self-responsibility and enjoyment of physical activity for all students so that they can be physically active for a lifetime. Physical education programs can only provide these benefits if they are well-planned and well-implemented. Here's what quality physical education programs can do for students, according to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education:
Improved physical fitness
Improves children's muscular strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, body composition and cardiovascular endurance.
Skill development
Develops motor skills, which allow for safe, successful and satisfying participation in physical activities.
Regular, healthful physical activity
Provides a wide-range of developmentally appropriate activities for all children.
Support of other subject areas
Reinforces knowledge learned across the curriculum.
Serves as a lab for application of content in science, math and social studies.
Self-discipline
Facilitates development of student responsibility for health and fitness.
Improved judgment
Quality physical education can influence moral development. Students have the opportunity to assume leadership, cooperate with others, question actions and regulations, and accept responsibility for their own behavior.
Stress reduction
Physical activity becomes an outlet for releasing tension and anxiety, and facilitates emotional stability and resilience.
Strengthened peer relationships
Physical education can be a major force in helping children socialize with others successfully and provides opportunities to learn positive people skills. Especially during late childhood and adolescence, being able to participate in dances, games and sports is an important part of peer culture.