The Impact of School-Based Physical Education on Physical Activity Levels and Percent Body Fat

Abstract

0724 Hypokinetic diseases, including rates of childhood obesity and Type II diabetes, are rising. Concurrently, the prevalence of school-based physical education programs is declining. The latest Surgeon General's Report targeted the decline in childhood physical activity with a recommendation to implement daily physical education classes in all schools. PURPOSE: The aim of this investigation was to determine if children exposed to daily school-based physical education possessed lower levels of percent body fat and achieved greater levels of daily physical activity than children attending weekly physical education classes. METHODS: Percent body fat percentage was calculated from triceps and medial calf skinfolds while physical activity was quantified via TriTrac accelerometers (R3D Research Ergometer) and averaged over a consecutive 3-day period. RESULTS: Data analyses revealed no statistically significant differences in percent body fat between the two groups. Children receiving daily physical education, however, had greater average movement in the transverse plane (P <.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that, in addition to the frequency of physical education, the content and quality of the physical education curriculum that children are exposed to must also be evaluated when the aim is to increase activity and ultimately, to improve health. Supported by the Charles L. Cahill Award for Faculty Research and Development at The University of North Carolina at Wilmington.