Josie Bachman

For our advocacy project we decided on doing all the different clubs and extracurricular activities you have the opportunity to get involved with as a student here at Penn State. Our focus will be mainly on upcoming freshman and sophmores who still hope to become more involved. We divided the clubs into main categories and split them up among our group so we will be able to cover more of them. We will also talk about backgrounds of clubs and why it is helpful to get involved in them.

Josie Bachman

English 015

Dr. Jessica O’Hara

19 March 2013

Overpaid Athletes Underplayed Lives

            Professional athletes, or people who play a sport for a living on a profit making team, receive fame, a life of luxury, millions of devoted fans, and on top of it all a huge salary. I will not deny that these athletes put in countless hours of work and dedication; however, I will argue that their salary is entirely too large. In the market, athletes are paid what they are worth, but with the world we live in today it just does not seem right. In an article written by Steven Resnick, he claims professional athletes are not overpaid by arguing that they make lifelong sacrifices and risk injury every time they fulfill their duties. I can think of a countless number of occupations who are required to deal with this daily—police officers, firefighters, and military workers. In fact, President Obama, who is leading our country and working to fix our economy, makes four hundred thousand dollars a year. This is less than the salary received by a rookie Major League Baseball player (Bhagat). Resnick argues how hard athletes have to work to stay in shape, the risk of death at a young age, and the violence of the game. Does this make it justifiable for professional athletes to be handed millions of dollars? Professional athletes choose to dedicate their life to athletics and collect an average salary of over a million dollars because of the profitable business they are a part of. I feel the business has misplaced their values. With people risking their lives daily overseas and dealing with more hardships than athletes face, the reasoning behind why athletes are paid so much is questionable.

In today’s society, salary is based on the value of one’s work and its importance to society. In the world we live in today, professional athletes are overpaid (Bhagat). With a suffering economy and people devoting as much time to their jobs as athletes, I would say it is not fair. Their compensation does not reflect the work they perform. On average, in 2010-2011, a player in the National Basketball Association received $5.15 million dollars. This was the highest of the major sports leagues in the United States.  Next on the list were Major League Baseball players receiving $3.13 million dollars (Dorish). Did you know that if you calculated how much money NBA star Kobe Bryant made per minute he played in a basketball game it would come to $11,200 dollars? Not shocking at all considering he is the highest paid player receiving $25 million per year (Scaletta). Bryant receives per minute something hard working people strive to achieve for months. If this didn’t make you question professional athlete salaries, here is another fact. Every basket scored by Kobe Bryant is equal to the average classroom teacher’s yearly salary. Teaching is crucial to our economy. We rely on teachers for our education which helps lead to a successful future (Bhagat). What does each basket scored by Kobe Bryant do for us and our future? It sure does not teach us anything important. My point is that professional athletes do nothing for the average person except provide entertainment. It is sad that they are worth so much in the market, but there is nothing that can be done to fix this problem. Some people devote their lives to serving others and will not receive half as much as a professional athlete.

Success is driven by the work efforts one puts in. Professional athletes spend countless hours working out and staying in shape for the season, but they were also blessed with incredible talent. According to Resnick, “Another thing people don’t really understand is how much work athletes do to stay in shape. Yes, many believe offseason is the time of year when athletes spend all of their not-so-hard-earned millions and go out and party.  However, that is clearly not the case. With the athletes of today, especially, that doesn’t happen as much, because if a player comes in to camp out of shape, they are liable to lose their job, and a team will not wait for them to get back into shape. Athletes now have to continue to work year round” (Resnick). By this statement, what makes athletes differ from every other hard working person in the world? Most occupations require a year round commitment. People in the U.S. Military and Armed Forces need to stay in shape to serve our country and conquer the tasks they are faced with daily. In my opinion, the work they put in is probably more difficult than spending time working on your game in the gym. Also, serving in a war is scarier than playing in the Super Bowl in front of thousands of screaming fans. Professional athletes are not the only ones working hard in the world; however, they are the only ones getting paid several millions of dollars for their work.

Every time an athlete steps out onto the court or field, they are at risk for serious injury. However, keep in mind the military officers who are stepping out into a war zone or firefighters stepping into a burning building. Resnick claims, “Each time these athletes step out onto a court, a field, a stadium, etc., there’s a chance of serious injury. Some of these injuries can take over a year and a half to heal, some heal rather quickly, and others cut their careers, and profession, short. Also, it has been determined that NFL players’ lives are cut short by two or three years for each season they play.” Injuries are a part of the game. Professional sports are hard hitting and dangerous; this is an unavoidable aspect of the sports. Resnick furthers his argument by stating, “NFL players die at a young age just to enterain their fans. Other sports, such as baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer all sacrifice their bodies for entertaining fans.” This statement made by Resnick is inconsiderate. In all reality, these athletes are not doing it “just to entertain their fans”. These athletes do it for the fame and for the huge sum of money they receive. Keep in mind the people who are at risk serving our country every day; what are they doing it for? They certainly are not doing it for our entertainment. These heroes are serving for themselves and for us. The highest paid doctor who went through years of schooling to care for these injuries and work to save lives was found to receive about $500,000 per year. However, there is a star athlete out there in the MLB receiving 19 million dollars to swing his bat. This star is making more money per game than the average household in America will make in one decade (Mueller). The overcompensation of these athletes is shown directly in their salaries. They are so valuable to the market that they have to be paid millions of dollars. This is where our values as a society need to be checked. A professional athlete should not receive a higher salary because they risk injury trying to entertain the public. People serving overseas are at a higher risk of injury and death, and they are serving for their country.

Think about a sacrifice, what comes to your mind? I know in my mind I think about the people overseas who leave their families knowing they will not see them for months on end. They do not have the opportunity presented to the families of professional athletes being able to take a plane to see them whenever they want. Resnick says, “Imagine how much effort, time, and sacrifice these athletes make. Whether it’s missing out spending time with their families, missing significant events in their children’s lives, births, etc…” This hardly seems comparable to the people in the military who leave their families to protect our country—including these athletes—without even knowing if they will return home. Police officers, firefighters, and even doctors save lives while sometimes sacrificing their own. Yet, they will only receive a fraction of what a sports star will make (Bhagat). The average military officer with ten years of experience and four children will receive an annual salary of $54,952.86 (Powers). Need I remind you Kobe Bryant receives $11,200 per minute in every game he plays? It is a shame that these real life heroes do not get half of the recognition by society, or even half the pay.

Overall, professional athletes spend countless hours staying in shape and preparing for their season, but that is their job and what they are paid millions to do. Our world would not be the same without sports; I am a firm believer of that. However, these athletes are being paid millions of dollars to do what they love for a living and provide entertainment to the public—not always in a good way. There is no way to put an end to the extremely high salary given to these athletes. It is based on their market value, and we cannot stop that. If they are going to continue to receive the large sum of money they receive, I feel these athletes should at least be a positive role model for children. Alex Rodriguez’s salary is enough money to feed the nation’s poor for an entire year. He should not cheat and use steroids and make this seem acceptable to children because of how successful he is in life (Bhagat). Professional athletes are constantly in the spotlight. There are people in the U.S. Military and Armed Forces fighting for our country and risking their lives every day to barely even receive recognition for the protection they provide us with. These heroes are doing it for themselves and for us, not the minimum salary they receive compared to professional athletes. We live in a world where our values are certainly misplaced. A world where an athlete’s salary shows they are more important to society than a policeman, firefighter, and a soldier. All we can do is sit back and continue to be entertained by these athletes, and watch their salaries sky rocket for years to come. Money just may be the root of all evil.

Works Cited

Bhagat, Mihir. “Do Professional Athletes Get Paid Too Much Money?” Bleacher Report. N.p.,     21 Mar. 2010. Web. 14 Mar. 2013. <http://bleacherreport.com/articles/366795-do- athletes-get-paid-too-much-money?search_query=do professional athletes get paid too   much money>.

Dorish, Joe. “Average Salaries in the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL.” Yahoo! N.p., 12 Nov. 2011.   Web. 14 Mar. 2013. <http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-10423863>.

Mueller, Chris. “Two Sides to Every Coin: Are Professional Athletes Overpaid?” Bleacher            Report. N.p., 4 Mar. 2012. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.          <http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1089195-two-sides-to-every-coin-are-professional-    athletes-overpaid?search_query=two sides to every coin>.

Powers, Rod. “What the Recruiter Never Told You Part 5 — Military Pay.” N.p., n.d. Web. 14      Mar. 2013. <http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/recruiter5.htm>.

Resnick, Steven. “Are Professionals Athletes Really Overpaid? The Answer May Surprise You.” Bleacher Report. N.p., 28 Mar. 2009. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.        <http://bleacherreport.com/articles/146379-are-professionals-athletes-really-overpaid-           the-answer-may-surprise-you>.

Scaletta, Kelly. “Salary Per Minute of NBA’s Highest Paid Stars.” Bleacher Report. N.p., 2 May 2012. Web. 14 Mar. 2013. <http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1170352-salary-per-  minute-of-nbas-highest-paid-stars#/articles/1170352-salary-per-minute-of-nbas-highest-   paid-stars/page/8>.

Josie Bachman

Dr. Jessica O’Hara

English 15

4 April 2013

“Running” Out Of Time

Abstract

Childhood obesity is on the rise, and not enough action is being taken to stop it. Obesity can lead to health effects, such as diabetes and heart disease, which will affect a person their entire life. With very few school systems abiding to the principles of physical education set forth, a mandatory law must be set into place making physical education required in our school systems. Today’s youth needs to be taught proper fitness to keep them healthy throughout their entire life.

The Struggling Youth of America

A little bit of exercise a day keeps the doctor away. Physical fitness is one of the best ways to bring about good health. Exercising improves the cardiac activity of the heart and can prevent many diseases such as diabetes. A huge problem that is now facing our country is childhood obesity. Obesity results from the body storing calories as fat because the person is eating more calories than their body can burn off. The term “obese” or “overweight” is used by doctors to describe someone who is at a great risk of developing weight-related health problems (TeensHealth.org). With exercise being so vital to one’s wellbeing, why is it not mandatory in elementary schools? Exercise is important in children because they are still developing their body and minds.  A child who is taught to be physically active at a young age is more likely to carry on this fitness throughout their life and beat out childhood obesity growing into a healthy young adult (“The Importance of Exercise for Children”). Today’s youth is the future, so why not make them healthy? Mandatory exercise in our elementary and middle school systems can teach children fitness habits they can carry on throughout their life, prevent many diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, and stop the increase of childhood obesity.

Obesity on the Rise in the United States  

In today’s world one in every three children are overweight. Studies even show that today’s youth is significantly less fit than the previous generations with a substantial increase in obesity rates since the 1960s (Worsnop). The overweight percentage in the United States is higher than ever and shows no signs of slowing down; it has more than doubled in the past decade. With children playing more video games than sports, no physical education in school, and all the unhealthy food in the world, this is not hard to imagine. Today, more than 44 million Americans are considered obese (Greenblatt). Weight is becoming a problem in children as young as six years old. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents. In the United States, the obesity percentage of children with the age range 6 to 11 increased from 7% in 1980 to about 18% in 2010. In adolescents with the age range of 12-19, the percentage increased from 5% to 18% in the same time period (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). With obesity rates on the rise, the health of our youth is slowly deteriorating. Obesity is a serious problem affecting many children in the United States and more to come. Today’s youth is at risk for health problems that can affect them their entire life. Obesity cannot continue to be a factor in these children’s lives.

Health Benefits of Exercise

Obesity in children can be prevented with healthy eating and regular activity. Being active is what these children need to stop the rise of obesity in America. Obesity carries short-term and long-term health effects that can be prevented with exercise.  Obese youth have short-term risk factors for cardiovascular disease which consist of high cholesterol or high blood pressure. They are also at risk for diabetes, bone and joint problems, and may even be bullied in school. Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be considered obese as adults. They are more at risk for serious health problems consisting of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and osteoarthritis. Obesity is also associated with increased risk for different types of cancer—breast cancer, cervix cancer, esophagus cancer and several others (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). Teaching children healthy habits at a young age can give them a better outlook on their life. Kids who are active also will have stronger muscles and bones, develop a leaner body because exercise controls fat, avoid childhood obesity, decrease the risk of heart risk and diabetes, and develop lower blood pressure (“Kids and Exercise”). When looking at all the health problems that arise from obesity, the benefits of exercise should motivate one to be active. Exercise is the key to a healthy society not overcome by obesity.

Mandatory Physical Education in Schools

The United States is a huge place, fifty states and over one hundred thousand schools for our youth. However, out of all fifty states, only six states in the United States—Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Illinois and Iowa— abide by the principles set by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education requiring school children to participate in one hundred fifty minutes of physical education per week. Too many children are unhealthy with their weight, and not all states and schools require recess or follow physical education guidelines. Delaware, Virginia, and Nebraska are the only three states that require twenty minutes of recess per day (Rochman). Children spend most of their day in school and by the time they arrive home they are less than likely to perform any kind of physical activity. School provides the perfect opportunity for kids to develop healthy habits they can carry with them throughout their life.

If all schools had a mandatory exercise policy and followed the requirements set by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education, children would live healthier lives. A study has shown that less than a quarter of the children in the United States perform at least thirty minutes of moderate physical activity every day (Worsnop). This is simply unhealthy for our children. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago analyzed results of a survey which was sent to 1,761 schools and 690 school districts. Within the survey, administrators were asked questions regarding their physical education policies and this was further compared with state laws and school district policies regarding physical education. The study found that 4% of school districts in the six states with laws of mandatory physical fitness were more likely to meet the one hundred fifty minute exercise requirement. Furthermore, 29% of schools recommended fitness without enforcing it, and 67% of schools had no physical education policy at all (Rochman). Taking one hundred fifty hours out of a school week to dedicate to physical education may seem like a lot, but when you look at how dangerous obesity is to our children, it seems like it is not enough. Schools should be doing everything they can to teach our youth healthy habits and stop the increase of obesity. Sitting around is not the answer, making physical education mandatory in schools is what we need to do to reduce obesity in the world today. The study showed that unless you are required to do something, you are most likely not going to do it. This is where the problems begin. Without mandatory physical education policies in the United States, children are not going to exercise. The root of the problem starts with our schools and the solution ends with making physical education in elementary schools mandatory.

Monitoring School Lunches Will Not Solve the Problem

In attempts to halt the rise of obesity, federal regulations were proposed which aimed at snack foods and drinks served in schools. Congress approved calorie limits on school lunches around August 2012. These changes were brought about by Michelle Obama in her campaign to fight childhood obesity. Cafeterias were required to serve twice as many fruits and
vegetables and limit carbohydrates and proteins. The regulations limited high school students to 750-850 calories, middle school students to 600-700 calories, and elementary school students to 550-650 calories, leaving the students hungry (Bingham). With a nation fighting rising obesity rates, I do not think the answer lies in cutting calories school lunches and starving children. A child who is unhappy with the school lunches will pack a lunch from home with whatever type of food they want, not following the calorie cut. They are many ways to avoid the healthy school lunches. Students can simply pack their own food or not eat lunch at all. Depending on the type of food they pack, both of these could be unhealthy options. I do not think regulating school lunches is the solution to lowering the obesity rate. Students can go home and eat twice as much food because they were not satisfied with the lunch they were provided with. With mandatory physical fitness, students will have no other option but to exercise for thirty minutes per day. There is no way to regulate what students are eating; however, there is a way to provide students with the ability to be physically active every day. Mandatory physical fitness is the key to reducing childhood obesity.

Physical Education Can Be Enjoyable

Mandatory physical fitness in schools may sound scary and intimidating, but that does not have to be the case at all. The 150 minute per week fitness should not be dreaded by students. By making physical education class fun and exciting with varying activities, it will give students the opportunity to find their niche. If schools incorporated karate, basketball, cycling, and rollerblading into their fitness plans, students would have a blast while learning and getting in shape. By offering a variety of activities for children, the kids are likely to find one that they enjoy and will continue, even throughout adulthood. There are so many ways to keep today’s youth fit, but these children also have the growing technology to keep themselves sedentary (Worsnop). If these children are exposed to the tons of different kinds of fitness at a young age, it is likely they will find one really enjoyable. For example, maybe a little boy loves playing basketball in physical education class. He continues to practice and play basketball all throughout his childhood and adolescence. By the time he is in high school, he makes the basketball team and is one of the best players. Success starts with the children of today.

Saving the Future

We live in a nation threatened by what experts are calling an “obesity epidemic.” With a rate of obesity that has more than doubled in the past decade showing no signs of stopping, something has to be done. The solution lies in our youth and our school systems. With only six states abiding to the physical fitness rules set forth by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education, the other forty four states must make a change (Rochman). Our nation needs to come together to solve the growing problem of obesity. With a mandatory physical education policy in elementary and middle schools, our youth will live healthier lives. Too many children in the world today are overweight, and not enough schools are taking action to prevent the problem from worsening. These children are the future of our society. If these children are being taught unhealthy habits, what are they going to teach their kids? Childhood obesity will cause a downward spiral affecting the many generations to come. We need to stop the problem now before it continues to worsen. Schools need to teach the importance of physical education. Thirty minutes a day, thirty minutes is all it takes to save the future of these children. We do not need a world suffering from the deadly effects of obesity. These children are the future, let’s make them healthy.

Works Cited

Bingham, Amy. “Snacks: The USDA’s Solution To Student’s Healthy Lunch Complaints.” Abc    World News. N.p., 26 Sept. 2012. Web. 2 Apr. 2013.      <http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/snacks-usdas-solution-healthy-school-lunch-  protests/story?id=17324285>.

“Childhood Obesity Facts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. N.p., 13 Feb. 2013.        Web. 2 Apr. 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm>.

Greenblatt, Alan. “Obesity Epidemic.” CQ Researcher 31 Jan. 2003: 73-104. Web. 2 Apr. 2013.

“Kids and Exercise.” KidsHealth. Ed. Mary Gavin. N.p., Feb. 2012. Web. 2 Apr. 2013.             <http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/staying_fit/exercise.html#>.

TeensHealth.org. “Obesity Poses a Serious Health Risk.” Health. Ed. Auriana Ojeda. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from “When Being Overweight Is a        Health Problem.” Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 2 Apr. 2013.

“The Importance of Exercise for Children.” SheKnows. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2013.             <http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/2864/the-importance-of-  exercise-for-children>.

Rochman, Bonnie. “Childhood Obesity: Most U.S. Schools Don’t Require P.E. Class or Recess.”             Time 7 Dec. 2011: n. pag. Web. 2 Apr. 2013. <childhood-obesity-most-u-s-schools-dont-  require-p-e-class-or-recess>.

Worsnop, Richard L. “Youth Fitness.” CQ Researcher 26 Sept. 1997: 841-64. Web. 2 Apr. 2013.

Rebuttal Paper Revisions

-incorporate how we have no way of lowering athletes’ salaries

-salaries are so high because of society’s misplaced values

-use quotes to introduce rebuttal arguements

-no “straw man” arguements

Policy Paper Revisions

-use headlines!

-change argument order: obesity rates, health benefits of exercise, policy in schools, rebut lowering school lunches

Overall

-if you use quotes , make sure you introduce them

“Running” Out Of Time

Abstract

Childhood obesity is on the rise, and not enough action is being taken to stop it. Obesity can lead to health effects, such as diabetes and heart disease, which will affect a person their entire life. With very few school systems abiding to the principles of physical education set forth, a mandatory law must be set into place making physical education required in our school systems. Today’s youth needs to be taught proper fitness to keep them healthy throughout their entire life.

A little bit of exercise a day keeps the doctor away. Physical fitness is one of the best ways to bring about good health. Exercising improves the cardiac activity of the heart and can prevent many diseases such as diabetes. A huge problem that is now facing our country is childhood obesity. Obesity results from the body storing calories as fat because the person is eating more calories than their body can burn off. The term “obese” or “overweight” is used by doctors to describe someone who is at a great risk of developing weight-related health problems (TeensHealth.org). With exercise being so vital to one’s wellbeing, why is it not mandatory in elementary schools? Exercise is important in children because they are still developing their body and minds.  A child who is taught to be physically active at a young age is more likely to carry on this fitness throughout their life and beat out childhood obesity growing into a healthy young adult (“The Importance of Exercise for Children”). Today’s youth is the future, so why not make them healthy? Mandatory exercise in our elementary and middle school systems can teach children fitness habits they can carry on throughout their life, prevent many diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, and stop the increase of childhood obesity.

In today’s world one in every three children are overweight. Likewise, only six states in the United States—Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Illinois and Iowa— abide by the principles set by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education requiring school children to participate in one hundred fifty minutes of physical education per week. Too many children are unhealthy with their weight, and not all states and schools require recess or follow physical education guidelines. Delaware, Virginia, and Nebraska are the only three states that require twenty minutes of recess per day (Rochman). Outside of school, many children do not go out of their way to exercise. If all schools had a mandatory exercise policy and followed the requirements set by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education, children would live healthier lives. A study has shown that less than a quarter of the children in the United States perform at least thirty minutes of moderate physical activity every day resulting in a substantial increase in obesity rates since the 1960s. Studies even show that today’s youth is significantly less fit than the previous generations (Worsnop). Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago analyzed results of a survey which was sent to 1,761 schools and 690 school districts. Within the survey, administrators were asked questions regarding their physical education policies and this was further compared with state laws and school district policies regarding physical education. The study found that 4% of school districts in the six states with laws of mandatory physical fitness were more likely to meet the one hundred fifty minute exercise requirement. Furthermore, 29% of schools recommended fitness without enforcing it, and 67% of schools had no physical education policy at all (Rochman). The study showed that unless you are required to do something, you are most likely not going to do it. This is where the problems begin. Without mandatory physical education policies in the United States, children are not going to exercise. The root of the problem starts with our schools and the solution ends with making physical education in elementary schools mandatory.

The overweight percentage in the United States is higher than ever and shows no signs of slowing down; it has more than doubled in the past decade. With children playing more video games than sports, no physical education in school, and all the unhealthy food in the world, this is not hard to imagine. Today, more than 44 million Americans are considered obese (Greenblatt). Weight is becoming a problem in children as young as six years old. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents. In the United States, the obesity percentage of children with the age range 6 to 11 increased from 7% in 1980 to about 18% in 2010. In adolescents with the age range of 12-19, the percentage increased from 5% to 18% in the same time period (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). Obesity in children can be prevented with healthy eating and regular activity. Children spend most of their day in school and by the time they arrive home they are less than likely to perform any kind of physical activity. School provides the perfect opportunity for kids to develop healthy habits they can carry with them throughout their life.  Mandatory physical fitness can prevent the long-term and short-term health effects obesity brings. Obese youth have short-term risk factors for cardiovascular disease which consist of high cholesterol or high blood pressure. They are also at risk for diabetes, bone and joint problems, and may even be bullied in school. Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be considered obese as adults. They are more at risk for serious health problems consisting of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and osteoarthritis. Obesity is also associated with increased risk for different types of cancer—breast cancer, cervix cancer, esophagus cancer and several others (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). With obesity rates on the rise, action needs to be enforced in our schools. Today’s youth is at risk for health problems that can affect them their entire life. Obesity cannot continue to be a factor in these children’s lives.

In attempts to halt the rise of obesity, federal regulations were proposed which aimed at snack foods and drinks served in schools. Congress approved calorie limits on school lunches around August 2012. These changes were brought about by Michelle Obama in her campaign to fight childhood obesity. Cafeterias were required to serve twice as many fruits and vegetables and limit carbohydrates and proteins. The regulations limited high school students to 750-850 calories, middle school students to 600-700 calories, and elementary school students to 550-650 calories, leaving the students hungry (Bingham). With a nation fighting rising obesity rates, I do not think the answer lies in cutting calories school lunches and starving children. A child who is unhappy with the school lunches will pack a lunch from home with whatever type of food they want, not following the calorie cut. They are many ways to avoid the healthy school lunches. Students can simply pack their own food or not eat lunch at all. Depending on the type of food they pack, both of these could be unhealthy options. I do not think regulating school lunches is the solution to lowering the obesity rate. Students can go home and eat twice as much food because they were not satisfied with the lunch they were provided with. With mandatory physical fitness, students will have no other option but to exercise for thirty minutes per day. There is no way to regulate what students are eating; however, there is a way to provide students with the ability to be physically active every day. Mandatory physical fitness is the key to reducing childhood obesity.

Mandatory physical fitness in schools may sound scary and intimidating, but that does not have to be the case at all. The 150 minute per week fitness should not be dreaded by students. By making physical education class fun and exciting with varying activities it will give students the opportunity to find their niche. If schools incorporated karate, basketball, cycling, and rollerblading into their fitness plans, students would have a blast while learning and getting in shape. By offering a variety of activities for children, the kids are likely to find one that they enjoy and will continue, even throughout adulthood. There are so many ways to keep today’s youth fit, but these children also have the growing technology to keep themselves sedentary (Worsnop). If these children are exposed to the tons of different kinds of fitness at a young age, it is likely they will find one really enjoyable. For example, maybe a little boy loves playing basketball in physical education class. He continues to practice and play basketball all throughout his childhood and adolescence. By the time he is in high school, he makes the basketball team and is one of the best players. Success starts with the children of today.

Teaching children healthy habits at a young age can give them a better outlook on their life. Kids who are active also will have stronger muscles and bones, develop a leaner body because exercise controls fat, avoid childhood obesity, decrease the risk of heart risk and diabetes, and develop lower blood pressure (“Kids and Exercise”). Taking one hundred fifty hours out of a school week to dedicate to physical education may seem like a lot, but when you look at how dangerous obesity is to our children, it seems like it is not enough. Schools should be doing everything they can to teach our youth healthy habits and stop the increase of obesity. Sitting around is not the answer, making physical education mandatory in schools is what we need to do to reduce obesity in the world today.

We live in a nation threatened by what experts are calling an “obesity epidemic.” With a rate of obesity that has more than doubled in the past decade showing no signs of stopping, something has to be done. The solution lies in our youth and our school systems. With only six states abiding to the physical fitness rules set forth by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education, the other forty four states must make a change (Rochman). Our nation needs to come together to solve the growing problem of obesity. With a mandatory physical education policy in elementary and middle schools, our youth will live healthier lives. Too many children in the world today are overweight, and not enough schools are taking action to prevent the problem from worsening. These children are the future of our society. If these children are being taught unhealthy habits, what are they going to teach their kids? Childhood obesity will cause a downward spiral affecting the many generations to come. We need to stop the problem now before it continues to worsen. Schools need to teach the importance of physical education. Thirty minutes a day, thirty minutes is all it takes to save the future of these children. We do not need a world suffering from the deadly effects of obesity. These children are the future, let’s make them healthy.

For my policy paper I decided on doing the mandatory physical fitness policy in elementary and middle schools. I would argue that the policy should stay in place. For supporting evidence I was going to say how good exercise is for the body, learning physical fitness habits at a young age can be beneficial and carried on throughout one’s life, and childhood obesity is increasing so fitness should be enforced in schools. Also, there is nothing wrong with getting daily exercise.