Editorial: Fitness scores require action

Ancient Greece was just one civilization that valued physical fitness, realizing a strong body and quick mind go hand in hand. Since those days, hundreds of modern-day, scientific studies have proved that common-sense observation to be true.

Californians have put a lot of energy into beefing up public education's curriculum. Clearly, we need to put just as much energy into beefing up students' bodies. The Education Code even states that: "Physical fitness and motor development of children in the public elementary schools are of equal importance to that of other elements of the curriculum." To back up that goal, physical-fitness standards for California students were created in 2005 and the state's P.E. curriculum framework for kindergarten through 12th grades will be revised next year.

The snapshot of student fitness provided by the California Physical Fitness Report, released last week by the state Department of Education, shows why changes are needed quickly.

If we discovered that only 27.1 percent of California fifth-graders, 30.9 percent of seventh-graders and 30.1 percent of ninth-graders were passing their academic subjects, parents would be lined up outside their school district superintendent's office.

The above percentages are of students in those grades who passed all six tests for physical fitness: aerobic activity (cardiovascular endurance), body composition (percentage of body fat), abdominal strength and endurance, trunk strength and flexibility, upper-body strength and endurance, and overall flexibility.

Ventura County students scored a bit better than the state average, but their scores were down this year from last. "This annual fitness test serves as an important reminder to all of us that the majority of our students are not in good physical shape," said Jack O'Connell, state superintendent of public instruction. Addressing the problem is "the right thing to do," he said, noting that increasing student fitness is a priority he shares with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Education Code requires school districts with first through sixth grades must provide at least 200 minutes of physical-education instruction for every 10 school days, not including recess and lunch; and for students in seventh through 12th grades, 400 minutes of P.E. every 10 school days. If students are getting the required hours of P.E. and the number of students passing the test is still woefully low, perhaps it is not enough time, it is not the correct type of P.E., the problem cannot be addressed entirely at school, the fitness standards are too high or they are not being implemented.

Three years ago, Mr. O'Connell convened a task force on childhood obesity, which agreed on three key points: to increase quality and quantity of P.E.; promote healthy eating; and ensure healthy foods and beverages are served at schools. It is time for the task force recommendations to be reviewed and for school officials to focus a laser beam on increasing student fitness. There could be some innovative local ideas, such as a local fitness challenge.

Childhood obesity ¡ª an estimated 19 percent of U.S. children, ages 6 to 11, are classified as overweight ¡ª has been called a crisis that will only worsen, as those children are at increased risk down the road for heart disease, stroke and premature death.

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