More Gym Class Not the Answer for Overweight Kids

A study published in a recent issue ofEducation Next journal showed that anincrease in the amount of time kidsspend in gym class had no effect onactivity levels and weight gain. Accordingto the report, the percentage of overweightadolescents has increased from4.5% in the 1960s to 15.5% today.Experts felt that statistic was due to thelack of time dedicated to physical education(PE), and state legislators respondedby requiring students to spend moretime in PE.

Researchers reviewed data on 44,164students for the years 1999, 2001, and2003 and found that PE requirementshad no effect on the students' activitylevels, nor any effect on weight control.The study authors are concerned that"states will think they've addressed theissue and then move on to somethingelse."

Ms. Farley is a freelance medicalwriter based in Wakefield, RI.