Physical Education vs Nutrition Education

[John2598]

This morning, Bud Hedinger, a conservative talk show host brought up the issue of physical education (PE) in the Florida schools. He said it's now going to be required in middle school, in addition to elementary and high school. The PE requirement for elementary and high school started about 2 years ago.

My Questions:

1) Being that FL is a Republican controlled state, why was there never any objection to the PE mandate? Is it not an expansion of government? Is it not government intrusion into our private lives?

2) The purpose of the PE program, as I understand it, is to deal with the issue of the growing problem of kids becoming overweight and obese. But I have yet to hear of any plan to test or measure for progress. How will they know if the program is working? We complain about Democrats starting programs and never worrying about success or failure; as long as the intentions are good, it's ok. And here we are doing the same thing.

3) As far as I know, a requirement for basic nutrition education was never considered. PE is all about burning calories but the consumption of calories is not being addressed. Why? :think:

[BillBrown]

This morning, Bud Hedinger, a conservative talk show host brought up the issue of physical education (PE) in the Florida schools. He said it's now going to be required in middle school, in addition to elementary and high school. The PE requirement for elementary and high school started about 2 years ago.

My Questions:

1) Being that FL is a Republican controlled state, why was there never any objection to the PE mandate? Is it not an expansion of government? Is it not government intrusion into our private lives?

2) The purpose of the PE program, as I understand it, is to deal with the issue of the growing problem of kids becoming overweight and obese. But I have yet to hear of any plan to test or measure for progress. How will they know if the program is working? We complain about Democrats starting programs and never worrying about success or failure; as long as the intentions are good, it's ok. And here we are doing the same thing.

3) As far as I know, a requirement for basic nutrition education was never considered. PE is all about burning calories but the consumption of calories is not being addressed. Why? :think:

Obama is going to impose his own fitness program on public schools.- complete with a Fitness Czar.

The last I heard Obama has mentioned Schwarzenegger for the job.
Richard Simmons is lobbying hard for it and has several powerful congressmen pushing him.

[snagswolf]

This morning, Bud Hedinger, a conservative talk show host brought up the issue of physical education (PE) in the Florida schools. He said it's now going to be required in middle school, in addition to elementary and high school. The PE requirement for elementary and high school started about 2 years ago.

My Questions:

1) Being that FL is a Republican controlled state, why was there never any objection to the PE mandate? Is it not an expansion of government? Is it not government intrusion into our private lives?

2) The purpose of the PE program, as I understand it, is to deal with the issue of the growing problem of kids becoming overweight and obese. But I have yet to hear of any plan to test or measure for progress. How will they know if the program is working? We complain about Democrats starting programs and never worrying about success or failure; as long as the intentions are good, it's ok. And here we are doing the same thing.

3) As far as I know, a requirement for basic nutrition education was never considered. PE is all about burning calories but the consumption of calories is not being addressed. Why? :think:
I'm confused. When I went to school in the 60s/70s, and when my kids went to school in the 90s/00s, we all had mandatory gym class, all the way from grade school through high school. Why is this something new?

As for it being an expansion of government, if the school has your kids for the purpose of educating them, why would providing physical education be any different than math education or reading education?

And also, when I went to school I remember being taught nutrition too. But back then it was the food pyramid, which as I understand, is considered really bad for you now.

[John2598]

Obama is going to impose his own fitness program on public schools.- complete with a Fitness Czar.

The last I heard Obama has mentioned Schwarzenegger for the job.
Richard Simmons is lobbying hard for it and has several powerful congressmen pushing him.

That's interesting! A Czar? I didn't know that. Where's Jack Lalanne? I think he would at least be better than the two you mentioned. At 93 or 94 he's the grandfather of health and fitness. He claims he still works out for 2 or 3 hours every morning.

"Exercise is king and diet is queen." -Lalanne

:eh:

[Apatriot]

This morning, Bud Hedinger, a conservative talk show host brought up the issue of physical education (PE) in the Florida schools. He said it's now going to be required in middle school, in addition to elementary and high school. The PE requirement for elementary and high school started about 2 years ago.

My Questions:

1) Being that FL is a Republican controlled state, why was there never any objection to the PE mandate? Is it not an expansion of government? Is it not government intrusion into our private lives?

2) The purpose of the PE program, as I understand it, is to deal with the issue of the growing problem of kids becoming overweight and obese. But I have yet to hear of any plan to test or measure for progress. How will they know if the program is working? We complain about Democrats starting programs and never worrying about success or failure; as long as the intentions are good, it's ok. And here we are doing the same thing.

3) As far as I know, a requirement for basic nutrition education was never considered. PE is all about burning calories but the consumption of calories is not being addressed. Why? :think:

1. No more than requiring school itself is. Education is designed to produce good adults. Part of being a good adult is being physically fit.
2. Florida schools measure BMI of kids at certain grade levels and send home the results to parents. I'm sure that's being monitored and studied.
3. Nutrition is taught at various levels. It's part of the standard curriculum.

[MrShotShot]

This morning, Bud Hedinger, a conservative talk show host brought up the issue of physical education (PE) in the Florida schools. He said it's now going to be required in middle school, in addition to elementary and high school. The PE requirement for elementary and high school started about 2 years ago.

My Questions:

1) Being that FL is a Republican controlled state, why was there never any objection to the PE mandate? Is it not an expansion of government? Is it not government intrusion into our private lives?

2) The purpose of the PE program, as I understand it, is to deal with the issue of the growing problem of kids becoming overweight and obese. But I have yet to hear of any plan to test or measure for progress. How will they know if the program is working? We complain about Democrats starting programs and never worrying about success or failure; as long as the intentions are good, it's ok. And here we are doing the same thing.

3) As far as I know, a requirement for basic nutrition education was never considered. PE is all about burning calories but the consumption of calories is not being addressed. Why? :think:

Very intriguing question - especially given that PE is such a new and radical concept in American education.

:rolleyes:

[super cool ski instructor]

I am a fan of Phys Ed...why would we want to keep physical activity from our kids lives? Now what ticks me off is that there are schools who are taking dodgeball out of the Phys Ed curriculum :mad:

[John2598]

I'm confused. When I went to school in the 60s/70s, and when my kids went to school in the 90s/00s, we all had mandatory gym class, all the way from grade school through high school. Why is this something new?

As for it being an expansion of government, if the school has your kids for the purpose of educating them, why would providing physical education be any different than math education or reading education?

And also, when I went to school I remember being taught nutrition too. But back then it was the food pyramid, which as I understand, is considered really bad for you now.

When I went to school I had PE too. I guess it's new because it had been dropped for a number of years.

Well, it seems I'm having some trouble communicating my concern. Yes, PE is not so different than math or reading. However, it seems that it was understood that PE was coming back because of the growing problem of kids being overweight and obese. That being the case, they have no mechanism set up to test the program for effectivness. Like Democrats often do, Florida Republicans will say "we fixed the problem; case closed!".

If genuine nutrition education had been been proposed (not just a food pyramid) can you imagine what conservatives like Rush Limbaugh would have said? Maybe something like this: "What business is it of the government to tell our kids what they should and shouldn't eat? This is government intrusion!!".

In my opinion, PE alone won't cut it if kids are eating lots of high calorie junk foods like chips 'n' dips, ice cream, soda, pizza, hot dogs, french fries and candy bars etc..

[John2598]

1. No more than requiring school itself is. Education is designed to produce good adults. Part of being a good adult is being physically fit.
2. Florida schools measure BMI of kids at certain grade levels and send home the results to parents. I'm sure that's being monitored and studied.
3. Nutrition is taught at various levels. It's part of the standard curriculum.

I sincerely doubt that they are teaching nutrition to any meaningful extent. I've read stories and seen pictures in my local newspaper where they reward high school kids with junk food. They teach "culinary arts" at the local high school where the kids learn how to prepare junk food. And Wal-Mart often donates soft drinks and other such items.

If they're measuring BMI, they're doing a good job of keeping it a secret, in my opinion. I keep up with the news and I've never heard of it. And when PE was first started I made phone calls to see if they had any way of measuring and no one knew.

I might try calling the local high school.

[jeepers]

It's not just PE and nutrition, it's also the decreased amount and quality of recess.

I'm not joking. Kids are expected to be perfectly behaved, not play things like tag...

BEING active in a disciplined way is important to learn skills. But being randomly active like a normal kid also burns calories without having to be regimented. Things that kids voluntarily want to do, if given the license just to be a kid.

I'm all for safety but the aforementioned restrictions are basically, well moronic.

No tag, no dodgeball. Please.

And in middle school? NO RECESS AT ALL.

And then they're serving yummy junk in the cafeteria.

Garsh can we connect some dots, here....

[Justin Playfair]

You should check out this website:

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and

Report From Wildlife Group Urges Children to Play Outside (http://nplanonline.org/news/report-wildlife-group-urges-children-play-outside)
The National Wildlife Federation has issued a report that encourages parents, school districts, cities and states to develop strategies aimed at encouraging children to play outside, the Wichita Eagle reports.

RWJF Commission Makes Recommendations to Improve Nation's Health (http://nplanonline.org/news/rwjf-commission-makes-recommendations-improve-nations-health)
</B>The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's (RWJF) Commission to Build a Healthier America has released 10 recommendations for improving the nation's health, Reuters reports.

Ohio Releases Comprehensive Statewide Obesity Prevention Plan (http://nplanonline.org/news/ohio-releases-comprehensive-statewide-obesity-prevention-plan)
</B>The Ohio Department of Health's Office of Healthy Ohio has released a comprehensive statewide plan to reduce obesity, the Associated Press reports.

[mysticbeauty_nbeast]

California and P.E.:...from my K-12 education that spans 40+ years...My three children education that spans over the past 20+ years have always included P.E education. It has never not been an option.

Now, in P.E., there is curriculum (yup..just like reading, math or history) that not only teaches the proper way to excersise, but how to keep healthy through fluids and nutrition. It's kinda of an all inclusive curriculum. I don't believe it's changed much since my children graduated out of the K-12 a year or so back.

Now..for the kicker...look up California kids obesity ratings/stats..and get ready to have your socks blown off!:confused: Here's a link to get you started:

http://news.ucanr.org/mediakits/Nutrition/nutritionfactsheet.shtml#California

Now someone please tell me how this P.E./Nutrition program is supposed to work when school districts serve some of the most high caloric empty carb meals in all 50 states? Limiting kids from bringing soda's, sweets and candy in their lunches doesn't seem to be working does it? (oh yeah..you read right..no from home sweets in lunches for your child; no cup cakes for the class for little Johnnys birthday anymore.) Yet...we still have a climbing rate of obesity in the Golden State...gee..how could that be?

~Mysty

[Apatriot]

I am a fan of Phys Ed...why would we want to keep physical activity from our kids lives? Now what ticks me off is that there are schools who are taking dodgeball out of the Phys Ed curriculum :mad:

I asked my kids about dodgeball. They don't play it. However, one day they were talking about "laser tag." Laser tag (at their school) is a thinly redesigned game of dodgeball. There are a few differences, but the essence is the same--hit the other kid with the ball and they are out.

[Apatriot]

I sincerely doubt that they are teaching nutrition to any meaningful extent. I've read stories and seen pictures in my local newspaper where they reward high school kids with junk food. They teach "culinary arts" at the local high school where the kids learn how to prepare junk food. And Wal-Mart often donates soft drinks and other such items.

If they're measuring BMI, they're doing a good job of keeping it a secret, in my opinion. I keep up with the news and I've never heard of it. And when PE was first started I made phone calls to see if they had any way of measuring and no one knew.

I might try calling the local high school.

I'm talking state of FL. My sons have brought home notes about BMI. One son was slightly over. The note asked us to check with our pediatrician. We did, she said he was ok, no big deal.

The kids are at least verbally taught about nutrition. Whether mixed messages are being sent by way of treats is a different issue.

[mysticbeauty_nbeast]

I asked my kids about dodgeball. They don't play it. However, one day they were talking about "laser tag." Laser tag (at their school) is a thinly redesigned game of dodgeball. There are a few differences, but the essence is the same--hit the other kid with the ball and they are out.

Dodge ball...as in without the physical contact of the ball hitting poor Timmy in the head you mean?

To many PC parents went nuts at the idea of their poor darling being subjected to the same supposed tortures that they themselves survived. NO tag, NO dodgeball..nothing violent or resembles violence like Cops and Robbers or Cowboys and Indians is allowed in our district playgrounds. It's nuts...it's gone too far..imo.

Laser tag...hmmm...bunch of kids in pretend military type vest jackets with laser guns and helmets; usually painted in camo colors; is ok to these PC parents..but good old fashioned contact play isn't. Wow..it's all I can say...wow.

~Mysty

[MrShotShot]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but do schools not teach Home Economics anymore?

Seems to me that HomEc was the class where you were taught about nutrition and creating healthy, well-balanced meals.

When I was in 6th grade we all had to take HomEc and Shop - 6 months each, regardless of whether you were male or female.

I loved those classes - in fact, my peanut butter cookie recipe still brings the folks a running and I still have my leather bracelet with my initials carved into it and the apron I made that says "macho chef" on the front of it.

[Apatriot]

Dodge ball...as in without the physical contact of the ball hitting poor Timmy in the head you mean?

To many PC parents went nuts at the idea of their poor darling being subjected to the same supposed tortures that they themselves survived. NO tag, NO dodgeball..nothing violent or resembles violence like Cops and Robbers or Cowboys and Indians is allowed in our district playgrounds. It's nuts...it's gone too far..imo.

Laser tag...hmmm...bunch of kids in pretend military type vest jackets with laser guns and helmets; usually painted in camo colors; is ok to these PC parents..but good old fashioned contact play isn't. Wow..it's all I can say...wow.

Please read for comprehension.

Laser tag is the name that the coaches gave for a version of dodgeball. It's almost the exact same game I played, but with one or two different rules.

Laser tag at their school is played using balls.

[mysticbeauty_nbeast]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but do schools not teach Home Economics anymore?

Seems to me that HomEc was the class where you were taught about nutrition and creating healthy, well-balanced meals.

When I was in 6th grade we all had to take HomEc and Shop - 6 months each, regardless of whether you were male or female.

I loved those classes - in fact, my peanut butter cookie recipe still brings the folks a running and I still have my leather bracelet with my initials carved into it and the apron I made that says "macho chef" on the front of it.

High School still carries the mandated 'Home Ec' class here. dont' know about the rest of the country though. Usually sophomore or junior year you are required to take the class. However, it's morphed into something you or I wouldn't recognize as Home Ec. :snooty:

~Mysty

[MrShotShot]

High School still carries the mandated 'Home Ec' class here. dont' know about the rest of the country though. Usually sophomore or junior year you are required to take the class. However, it's morphed into something you or I wouldn't recognize as Home Ec. :snooty:

~Mysty

Oh I'm sure - might also be a good class to teach personal finance.

[mysticbeauty_nbeast]

Please read for comprehension.

Laser tag is the name that the coaches gave for a version of dodgeball. It's almost the exact same game I played, but with one or two different rules.

Laser tag at their school is played using balls.

I would give you your own advice back to you :snooty:...re-read the part where I posted on actual 'laser tag'...I was not referring to your version of what you described in your childs school...I was posting in reference to actual 'Laser Tag '; which your post reminded me of in context to what is and what is not appropriate activities for kids by today's modern parent. Now that type of activity is ok by PC parents..but dodge ball in any form, including the one you describe, is just not ok here in our schools. :wall: That to me is just plain stupid. There..all better now? Is that all a bit clearer to you now?

~Mysty

[mysticbeauty_nbeast]

Oh I'm sure - might also be a good class to teach personal finance.

My two eldest didn't get that curriculum..but my youngest who just graduated last year did. I was pleasantly surprised that the curriculum actually included not only how to manage a checking/savings account..but credit/debt too. I'm not impressed easily by our public schools..but this one program..was done right.

~Mysty

[psyko kat]

I'm confused. When I went to school in the 60s/70s, and when my kids went to school in the 90s/00s, we all had mandatory gym class, all the way from grade school through high school. Why is this something new?

As for it being an expansion of government, if the school has your kids for the purpose of educating them, why would providing physical education be any different than math education or reading education?

And also, when I went to school I remember being taught nutrition too. But back then it was the food pyramid, which as I understand, is considered really bad for you now.

yep me too, (60s-70s), we also had 'home ec' and 'shop classes'....and 'health class'....

[psyko kat]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but do schools not teach Home Economics anymore?

Seems to me that HomEc was the class where you were taught about nutrition and creating healthy, well-balanced meals.

When I was in 6th grade we all had to take HomEc and Shop - 6 months each, regardless of whether you were male or female.

I loved those classes - in fact, my peanut butter cookie recipe still brings the folks a running and I still have my leather bracelet with my initials carved into it and the apron I made that says "macho chef" on the front of it.

yep, I had home ec learning to sew, and to cook..

[angelicmadrigal]

And also, when I went to school I remember being taught nutrition too. But back then it was the food pyramid, which as I understand, is considered really bad for you now.

I always remember it being part of health class.

[angelicmadrigal]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but do schools not teach Home Economics anymore?



Some schools do, some don't. The private school I went to didn't, but my boyfreind at the time was taking it at the local public school. I heard from the teacher (who I worked with at Art Camp) said he was atrocious.

[angelicmadrigal]

Oh I'm sure - might also be a good class to teach personal finance.

My elementary/middle school used to do the "bussiness basics" program through Jr. Achievement. It teaches you how stocks work, the basics of balancing a check book, opening a bank account, how credit cards work, the importance of personal savings, and how to make a budget. I don't know if the program still exists though.

[super cool ski instructor]

We learned nutrition in Health (middle and high school), Home Ech (middle school), and Sociology (high school).

[John2598]

California and P.E.:...from my K-12 education that spans 40+ years...My three children education that spans over the past 20+ years have always included P.E education. It has never not been an option.

Now, in P.E., there is curriculum (yup..just like reading, math or history) that not only teaches the proper way to excersise, but how to keep healthy through fluids and nutrition. It's kinda of an all inclusive curriculum. I don't believe it's changed much since my children graduated out of the K-12 a year or so back.

Now..for the kicker...look up California kids obesity ratings/stats..and get ready to have your socks blown off!:confused: Here's a link to get you started:

http://news.ucanr.org/mediakits/Nutrition/nutritionfactsheet.shtml#California

Now someone please tell me how this P.E./Nutrition program is supposed to work when school districts serve some of the most high caloric empty carb meals in all 50 states? Limiting kids from bringing soda's, sweets and candy in their lunches doesn't seem to be working does it? (oh yeah..you read right..no from home sweets in lunches for your child; no cup cakes for the class for little Johnnys birthday anymore.) Yet...we still have a climbing rate of obesity in the Golden State...gee..how could that be?

~Mysty

There's no doubt that it's a tough problem. The schools shouldn't be serving high calorie junk but it might have something to do with their budget (money) problems. Low bidders (food companies) are usually not going to serve healthy foods. And just because kids are not allowed to bring sodas, sweets and candy, it doesn't mean that their lunchs won't be high calorie junk anyway.

[John2598]

I'm talking state of FL. My sons have brought home notes about BMI. One son was slightly over. The note asked us to check with our pediatrician. We did, she said he was ok, no big deal.

The kids are at least verbally taught about nutrition. Whether mixed messages are being sent by way of treats is a different issue.

I'm glad to know that they are recording BMI and sending home notes. That's a hopeful sign. Now what I need to know is why they're not informing the public as to the progress, if any, for the state as a whole. They could do it for the state, county by county, and then for each school. I'm sure if it was really working well, they would have given us the results.

I called my state represtntative yesterday and was told they will try to find out from the board of education in Tallahassee. But don't hold your breath; this will take a while. :eh:

[John2598]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but do schools not teach Home Economics anymore?

Seems to me that HomEc was the class where you were taught about nutrition and creating healthy, well-balanced meals.

When I was in 6th grade we all had to take HomEc and Shop - 6 months each, regardless of whether you were male or female.

I loved those classes - in fact, my peanut butter cookie recipe still brings the folks a running and I still have my leather bracelet with my initials carved into it and the apron I made that says "macho chef" on the front of it.

Yeah, I remember those days too. I made a hockey stick in shop and learned how to make blueprints. Then in home economics I made an apron for my mother. If they told us anything about nutrition it probably wasn't much because I don't remember it.

[Dr. Funkenstein]

This morning, Bud Hedinger, a conservative talk show host brought up the issue of physical education (PE) in the Florida schools. He said it's now going to be required in middle school, in addition to elementary and high school. The PE requirement for elementary and high school started about 2 years ago.

My Questions:

1) Being that FL is a Republican controlled state, why was there never any objection to the PE mandate? Is it not an expansion of government? Is it not government intrusion into our private lives?

Education is a state issue...if the mandate is coming from the state, then it's warranted.

2) The purpose of the PE program, as I understand it, is to deal with the issue of the growing problem of kids becoming overweight and obese. But I have yet to hear of any plan to test or measure for progress. How will they know if the program is working? We complain about Democrats starting programs and never worrying about success or failure; as long as the intentions are good, it's ok. And here we are doing the same thing.

That's one of the purposes. I also think it helps the gym teachers (many of whom are also sports coaches at the school) get a sneak peek at who they might be able to use.

3) As far as I know, a requirement for basic nutrition education was never considered. PE is all about burning calories but the consumption of calories is not being addressed. Why? :think:

I'd think that's something that should be covered in Health class. In my case, Health class was a quarter-year carved out of my PE class time, where they dealt with things like nutrition and sex ed.