A survey shows
most parents list health and fitness as the top of priority for their children,
rating physical education on par with other school subjects.
The survey was
conducted for the National Association for Sport and Physical Education
in response to federal statistics that show in the last 20 years, the proportion
of overweight children between ages 6 and 19 has tripled, to nearly one
of every three youngsters.
Putting the
survey results into action in schools and communities is critical to improved
academic performance, social reform and individual health, the study authors
said.
Among the study
highlights: Of three choices, most parents with children under 18 (44 percent)
pick enjoying optimal health as most important, followed by having friends/getting
along with peers (20 percent) and achieving academic success (16 percent).
Only 28 percent worry their children are or might become overweight or
obese.
Nearly all parents
(91 percent) think they have a great deal of responsibility for the weight
and physical fitness of children under 6, a proportion that drops with
the child's age, with 80 percent of parents saying they have a great deal
of responsibility for their 6-11 year olds and only 43 percent thinking
they do for children 12 to 17.
More than half
the parents identified a balanced diet and regular activity as key elements
of a healthy lifestyle. More than 80 percent provide outdoor/indoor physical
activity at home, participate with their children and plan family events
that include physical activity.
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Copyright 2003 by United
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