As a kid, I didn’t consciously think about being active or exercising. It was just something I did. I’d ride my bike every day or go for a swim or play outside with friends. It was about having fun. The sweat and exercise was just an added benefit.

These days, kids aren’t so eager to be active and often coop themselves up inside to play video games or watch TV. After school curriculum should focus more on exercise and less on rotting in front of a monitor.

Why are after school sports and physical education games so important?

Childhood Obesity

Recent studies have shown that childhood obesity is becoming a prominent problem in our nation. In the last three decades, childhood obesity rates have tripled in America. About one in three children are either overweight or obese.

If the trends continue, one third of all children born in the year 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes. Even more daunting is the fact that childhood obesity can lead to all sorts of medical problems early in life. These health issues include asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, and even cancer. Aside from health problems, being overweight or obese can spawn low self-esteem and a general lack of self-confidence.

This is where after school sports come into play. Along with maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly is a primary means of losing weight. Physical activity is essential to living a healthy life. As well as controlling weight and reducing fat, exercise builds leaner muscles and promotes development of bones and joints.

Physical Education

The average child needs at least an hour of moderate to vigorous activity every day, which makes physical education an essential part of the puzzle. Physical education programs stress important lessons about the human body while offering up various physical activities, from team sports to innovative exercises that can be done in the comfort and safety of home.

The most important key is to offer skills and instruction that kids can then apply outside of class. This is most apparent when it comes to nutrition. It’s important for kids to understand nutrition and the benefits of a balanced diet. As important as exercise is, eating right is half the battle. If kids learn the basics of eating right and exercising regularly, they can stay healthy and avoid the dangers of obesity.