Tell America's Schools: Kids Need Recess!
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: US Department of Education
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that 17% of children and adolescents in the United States are obese. That means approximately 12.5 million kids fail to eat the right foods and get an adequate amount of exercise per day.
One of the easiest ways for kids to get exercise is through recess or physical education. However, an alarming 40% of schools across the US have been forced to cut their recess programs or have reduced the time kids spend outside.
Exercise does more than keep a child's body healthy, it can actually improve a child's performance in school. Exercise improves memory and concentration, increases attention span and stimulates the senses.
First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign simply alludes to encouraging kids to play outside, but we must do more than that. Urge the US Department of Education to force schools to keep their recess and physical education programs and save the mental and physical health of America's children.
Dear Department of Education,
You are not doing enough to keep exercise a priority in our children's schools. Schoolwork is obviously an integral part of a child's school day but exercise can only enhance that experience. Exercise keeps a child's body health and their mind fresh; improving their memory and increasing their attention span.
In addition to these facts, removing exercise activity is only hindering the country's efforts to tackle the child obesity problem in America. Approximately 17% of our nation's children are obese. This statistic is coupled with the fact that 40% of schools have been forced to cut their recess and physical education programs. This is simply unacceptable.
(Your Comments Here)
I urge you to implement a program to help schools across America keep their recess and physical education programs and make them a priority.
