National Association for Sport and Physical Education
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New Let's Move In School Initiative to Support Goal of Physically Active Youth Being Healthy and Ready to Learn

WASHINGTON, DC, April 14, 2010 – In support of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Campaign to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) today announced its new Let's Move In School Initiative, and in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Adolescent and School Health, presented the findings of a new comprehensive CDC report on physical activity, physical education and academic performance.    

     According to NASPE President Lynn Couturier, chair of the Physical Education Department, State University of New York at Cortland, "The purpose of Let's Move In School is to educate youth about the benefits of a physically active lifestyle and ensure that every school provides opportunities for quality physical education and physical activity.  Let's Move In School urges parents, school administrators, policymakers and concerned citizens to take action steps to help schools implement a comprehensive school-based physical activity program which includes 1) quality physical education, 2) physical activity integrated into classroom learning; 3) physical activity breaks, 4) recess, 5) before-and-after school programs,6) intramural sport, 7) interscholastic sports; 8) walk- and bike-to-school programs."      

     The Let's Move In School Web site (www.LetsMoveInSchool.org) provides tools to support quality, school-based physical education and physical activity programs, such as sources of funding, recognition for outstanding physical education teachers and programs and information on federal, state and local policy efforts. In addition NASPE has produced a new brochure for parents, school administrators and policymakers called Active Kids and Academic Performance: The Positive Impact of School-Based Physical Education and Physical Activity.  The brochure is funded by GeoMotion Group.    

     NASPE hopes that the Let's Move In School Initiative will serve as a platform to bring together organizations committed to increasing physical education and physical activity in schools and supporting the First Lady's Let's Move Campaign. As such, we are pleased to announce our first Let's Move In School partner, Cartoon Network, demonstrating their continued commitment to promoting physical activity among young people.   

     "This new CDC report documents that school-based physical activity programs may help improve academic achievement, as well as other factors that can positively influence academic achievement in children," said Dr. Howell Wechsler, division director of CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH). Among the findings:  

  • Increasing or maintaining time dedicated to physical activity does not adversely impact academic performance. Studies suggest there may be a range of possible benefits for some students, including developing a stronger sense of self, fostering educational aspirations, maintaining interest in class, encouraging homework completion, and reducing dropout rates. 
  • There is evidence that school-based physical activity may help improve academic achievement (such as grades and standardized test scores) and factors that can positively influence academic achievement (such as concentration, attention, and improved classroom behavior).

    Collectively, the findings from this review support the Healthy People 2010 Objective that calls upon the Nation's schools to require daily physical education for all students and NASPE's recommendations for a comprehensive school-based physical activity program.    

    Taking all of the evidence into account, schools should strive to provide students with a well-rounded education that includes quality physical education and comprehensive physical activity programs as defined by national recommendations.

    CDC's full report can be found at www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth. Through Let's Move In School, NASPE is committed to translating those findings into action steps for improving comprehensive school physical activity programs for every child in America.

    "One of the longtime barriers to student success has been the separation of health from the education process," said ASCD Executive Director Gene R. Carter. "We must recognize that physical, social, emotional, and mental health are inextricably linked to student growth and improved academic performance. Let's support the development of the whole child by transforming our educational system to one that is committed to ensuring that children are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged."

    Loudoun County (VA) Schools Superintendent Edgar B. Hatrick, Ed.D., who is currently president-elect of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), said "Superintendents across America applaud NASPE for shining a light on the importance of physical activity in young people's lives. First Lady Obama's efforts to address childhood obesity and the efforts of NASPE will work together to bring action to what we have known for at least a hundred years: young people who are physically active learn better; a healthy body and a healthy mind really do go together to enable young people to learn their best, perform their best, and live their best.

    "Councilmember Mary M. Cheh of the Council of the District of Columbia is putting the research findings into action with her introduction of the Healthy Schools Act which includes targets relative to increasing time in physical education class each week from 30 minutes in 2010 to 150 minutes per week for students in kindergarten through grade 5 by 2015. It is also the goal for all District of Columbia children to engage in physical activity for 60 minutes every day. "One of the primary causes for the District's drastically high obesity rate is the simple fact that our students have little physical activity. My bill seeks to change that. In addition to improving the nutritional value of food in schools and providing health and wellness education, my bill will substantially increase physical education—the key to ending the obesity epidemic in the District of Columbia."

    "We know that kids need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day," said NASPE Executive Director Charlene R. Burgeson. "That is why we should design the school day to include all of the components of a comprehensive school physical activity program. Sometimes it doesn't take more money as much as more creativity and imagination. NASPE is very appreciative to First Lady Michelle Obama for beginning this important national conversation. Now it is time to set in place ways to utilize all of the resources in a school community to truly eradicate childhood obesity in a generation."

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Contact:
Paula Kun
pkun@aahperd.org
703-476-3461

The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE?s 15,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, administrators, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare professionals in these areas. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high-quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs. It is the largest of the five national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD). For more information, visit www.naspeinfo.org.

AAHPERD, an alliance of five national associations, six district associations, and a Research Consortium, provides its members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public. It is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, recreation, fitness, dance, health promotion and all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. AAHPERD serves 20,000 members and has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, 25 miles west of Washington DC. To learn more, visit www.aahperd.org.