Participation in school physical education and selected dietary patterns among high school students - United States, 1991

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, August 21, 1992

Editorial Note: The findings in this report are consistent with results from other recent national surveys that measured participation in school PE and selected dietary patterns among youth (7,8). Because the quality of the samples varied among the state and local surveys, data across sites may not be comparable. Nonetheless, these results can be useful in planning and evaluating broad national, state, and local interventions and in monitoring progress toward achieving the national health objectives for the year 2000 (5).

National health objectives 1.8 and 1.9 are to increase to at least 50% the proportion of children and adolescents in grades 1-12 who participate in daily school PE and to increase to at least 50% the proportion of school PE class time that students spend being physically active (5). At every site, among students enrolled in PE class, at least half reported exercising or playing sports for more than 20 minutes during an average PE class. However, at only six of the 33 sites did at least 50% of the students report daily attendance in PE class.

National health objectives 2.5 and 2.6 are to reduce dietary fat intake among persons aged [is greater than or equal to] 2 years and to increase complex carbohydrate and fiber-containing foods in the diets of adults (5). The American Cancer Society (ACS) has developed two similar goals specifically for high school students: to increase to 35% the proportion who daily consume five or more servings of fruits and vegetables and to increase to 80% the proportion who daily eat no more than two servings of selected foods typically high in fat (9). None of the sites in this report have achieved the first ACS goal; only one site has achieved the second goal.

Specific strategies to meet the national health objectives and ACS goals include implementing state and school district policies requiring comprehensive school health education programs that include nutrition education and daily attendance in PE classes (5). To carry out these and other important strategies, coordinated efforts are needed from federal, state, and local education and health agencies; voluntary health organizations; families; media; community organizations; and youth themselves.

References

(1.) Powell KE, Caspersen CJ, Koplan JP, Ford ES. Physical activity and chronic diseases. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;49:999-1006.

(2.) Paffenbarger RS Jr, Hyde RT, Wing AL, Hsieh CC. Physical activity, all-cause mortality, and longevity of college alumni. N Engl J Med 1986;314:605-13.

(3.) Public Health Service. The Surgeon General's report on nutrition and health. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 1988; DHHS publication no. (PHS) 88-50210.

(4.) National Research Council. Diet and health: implications for reducing chronic disease risk. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1989.

(5.) Public Health Service. Healthy people 2000: national health promotion and disease prevention objectives-full report, with commentary. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 1991; DHHS publication no. (PHS)91-50212.