Physical Inactivity and Overweight

 

	High School Students
	Physical Education

Physical Activity High School Students
Rationale: These questions measure participation in physical activity, physical education classes, sports teams, and television watching. Participating in regular physical activity helps build and maintain healthy bones and muscles, control weight, build lean muscle, and reduce fat, reduces feelings of depression and anxiety; and promotes psychological well-being. Over time, regular physical activity decreases the risk of dying prematurely, dying of heart disease, and developing diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure. Decreases in vigorous physical activity occur during grades 9-12, particularly for girls; by 11th grade, half of female high school students do not participate in sufficient levels of vigorous physical activity. School physical education classes can increase adolescent participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity and help high school students develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to engage in lifelong physical activity. The percentage of high school students enrolled in daily physical education class decreased from 1991-1995 (from 41.6% to 35.4%) and increased from 1995-2001 (from 25.4% to 32.2%), but still remained far below the 1991 level. Television viewing is the principal sedentary leisure time behavior in the United States and television viewing in young people is related to obesity.
More than two-thirds, (64%) of high school students participated in vigorous physical activity (ie, activities that caused sweating or hard breathing for at least 20 minutes) on three or more of the seven days preceding the survey. Males (68%) were more likely than females (59%) to report this behavior.	More than one-quarter, (26%) of high school students participated in moderate physical activity (ie, activities that did not cause sweating or hard breathing for at least 30 minutes) on five or more of the seven days preceding the survey. Males (29%) more likely than females (24%) to report this behavior.
Overall, 63% of high school students participated in strengthening exercises (such as push-ups, sit-ups, or weightlifting) on three or more of the seven days preceding the survey. Males (70%) were more likely than females (57%) to report this behavior.	During an average school day, 37% of high school students watched television three or more hours.

Physical Activity Physical Education
Data for 1997 & 2000 were not available
About half, 62%, of middle school students were enrolled in a physical education (PE) class at least one day per week. Eighth graders (39%) were less likely than 6th grade students (29%) to be enrolled in a PE class.	Almost half 45%, of high school students were enrolled in a physical education (PE) class at least one day per week. A greater percent of 9th graders (61%) than 12th grade students (36%) were enrolled in a PE class.
Almost 30% of middle school students attended a PE class daily.	Almost 30% of high school students attended a PE class daily. Male students (32%) were more likely than female students (27%) to attend a PE class daily.
	During the 12 months preceding the survey, more than half of high school students (55%) played on a sports team run by the school or a community group.
About half, 51%, of the middle school students played on a sports team run by the school or a community group.
	Among high school students enrolled in a PE class, 85% exercised more than 20 minutes during an average PE class. In 2003, students were more likely to exercise for more than 20 minutes during a PE class than in 1997 (76%).