-
Essay / The importance of compulsory physical education classes
The secret to a long life is to be physically active. Young adolescents in our schools benefit the most from physical activity because it positively affects their health, helps relieve stress, anxiety and improves their social assimilation. Physical education classes should be mandatory throughout a student's career in order to provide them with a healthier lifestyle. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get the original essay Since 1996, childhood obesity has reached such a dangerous level that it shows that more than 9 million children are now in overweight. Children spend the majority of their time at school. Therefore, students should take proper physical education classes to help them adopt a healthier lifestyle and make it a lifelong hobby. The National Association for Sports and Physical Education has given states and the federal government a failing grade on physical education in the American school system. This means that physical education lessons can do much more for American students if executed correctly. According to the American Heart Association, nearly one in three children and adolescents in the United States are overweight or obese. Having to carry extra weight as a child can pose a significant health risk as an adult and during childhood. “CDC officials cite research showing that most overweight children become obese adults” (Alison Kepner). Being overweight as a child sets you up for a life full of illness. These health risks include high cholesterol, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood. With high cholesterol, one is likely to develop fatty deposits in the blood vessels. Eventually, the deposits grow, preventing blood from flowing through your arteries, causing a heart attack or stroke. Which can be very dangerous and deadly. High blood pressure, also known as the "silent killer", can also develop when there is a lack of physical activity and being overweight. High blood pressure occurs when blood constantly pushes against blood vessels, leading to heart disease and stroke. A person can have high blood pressure for years without experiencing any symptoms. Additionally, people with high blood pressure can even die in their sleep if it goes undetected. Sleep apnea causes breathing to stop during sleep. This leads to a higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest. An estimated 12 million American adults have obstructive sleep apnea, and many of them go undiagnosed (NHLBI). These are just some of the illnesses that harm children who are not physically active while attending school. With moderate physical activity in schools, America can provide its students with a better lifestyle and a healthier future. Through physical education classes, children can avoid living a life full of heart disease. The idea of physical education classes is to provide students with knowledge that can help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. For example, at Brandywine High, ninth graders spend their class time playing traditional team sports. Additionally, students also learn how fast the heart rate should be when performing vigorous and moderate exercise. This allows them.