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Josie Kelly
Mrs. Cramer
College Composition 1 period 6A
24 March, 2017
Make America Healthy Again
Childhood obesity in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970s. Now a

days, one in five children (ages 619) has obesity (Childhood). This should not be satisfactory to

Americans. As members of a prosperous nation, we should strive for greatness in all aspects of

life including: success, family, wealth, as well as fitness. A healthy person has improved mental

health, with a higher tolerance to disease, which are few of the many benefits to a healthy

lifestyle. However, far too often, youth are being mesmerized by electronics. Their faces glued to

the newest, shiniest thing, rather than getting up and getting moving.1 This is why physical

education should be mandatory in all schools, because it reduces obesity in adolescence and

stimulates positive brain function and development.

Firstly, on the issue of childhood obesity, a strong correlation has been shown between

adolescent obesity and adult obesity. As stated in an article by Edutopia, "Childhood Obesity is a

product of genetics and the culture and environment with which a child is raised" (Why). This is

a serious issue today's youth are facing. After all in 2006 a blue ribbon commission released a

worried report about the colossal decline of gym class since the early 90's, that coincide with a

growing rate of childhood obesity (Cloud). Adults with obesity are more likely to suffer from

coronary diseases and diabetes along with high blood pressure. Children may struggle with body

image issues and depression, which causes them to refrain from extracurricular activities that

require physical exertion. It is recommended that children should get 60 minutes of exercise a
1 Metaphor their faces glued is an exaggeration to stress a point
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day by the National Association of Sport and Physical Education. Phys. Ed. in schools should be

implemented in order to help kids achieve the minimum of 60 minutes a day (Lynn). Although

45 min classes may seem to have a limited effect it has been shown to lower triglycerides and

body fat. A study at Teesside University recorded data from 101 school children over a 13 week

period. The children were divided into two groups. One group partook in gym class activities,

while the other did nothing. On at least three metrics, the gym class group was in healthier shape

(Physical). Another recent study has shown that an extra 60 minutes per week in gym class

reduced fifth-graders likelihood of obesity by 4.8 percent. This shows the strong relation to

incorporating mandatory gym for school aged children.

Secondly, Physical Education has been proved to stimulate brain function and

development. As shown in an article by the New York Times, "Children who are physically fit

absorb and retain new information more effectively than children who are out of shape.... It

goes on to say that physical activity helps youth settle down and focus. This effects test scores in

epic proportion. Children who exercised profusely 10 minutes before a math test, tested higher

than children who did not participate in the exercise. "Higher levels of fitness have their greatest

impact in the most challenging situations... more physical fitness may aid children in learning",

says Times (Reynolds). This exemplifies the point that children who are more physically fit,

statistically perform better on tests. In order to achieve this level of health, however children

must receive fitness during the school day too. If students were given a gym class before the

SAT, who knows how great the margin of improvement would be! Also, positive mood is

promoted from the increased exercise of gym class. It is one of the most effective ways to

improve mental health. It helps alleviate depression by reducing inflammation in the brain and

creating new patterns that stimulate a calm feeling. Powerful brain chemicals, called Endorphins,
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are released while exercising. They help students feel energized and happy. It boosts motivation

to tackle a difficult day of learning. Gym class may also be a vital distraction to kids dealing with

hardships in life. Although its only for an hour or so, that may be a sweet vacation from the fear

they feel otherwise. It also may help relieve stress from overworked students. Physical activity

helps to relieve tension and relax muscles in the body (The). When your body feels good, so does

your mind. Students feel less stress, overwhelmed, and exhausted. Imagine how greatly these

things benefit children. Taking away gym class would be inhumane and unjust.

On the other hand, opposers may argue that due to students lack of enjoyment, Physical

Education should be dismissed as a school requirement. However, this reasoning is pitiful, as

there are a vast selection of units that are covered throughout the school year in gym. It is

understandable that every student may not enjoy every unit, but because of the extensive amount

of units, there is bound to be one that each student favors. Personal experience has proven this to

be true. For example, during the volleyball unit, nearly all students are active participants in the

games. This argument, that we shouldnt have gym class because it is not enjoyable, is irrational

(Forbes). No matter what, there are always going to be subjects that certain students will not like.

Just because a large group of pupils dislikes History does not mean it should be banished from

school curriculum2. Partaking in something they do not enjoy, teaches valuable lesson for later in

life. If a boss asks the employee to do something they dont want to do, the employee must

comply in order to make a living. The importance of gym class lies in whether the subject is

serving its purpose or not. If the student is not having fun, but still becoming physically fit then,

the good clearly outweighs the bad.

2 Alliteration to focus readers on a certain point in the text

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Another way that people have criticized PE programs is by claiming that more vital

curriculum should take precedence over frivolous exercise. But what they dont see is that it is

necessary that students take some sort of break from the grueling, stressful school day. 8 hours of

cramming information into students brains may be over stimulating. If students were to jam

their schedules full of difficult classes without a PE class somewhere in between, by the end of

the day they would be unproductive. This shows that the whole argument of more time should be

dismissed because in the end, children will only give half an effort in their later classes.

Moreover, morning gym is another viable to give students the best of both worlds. With this

option, students achieve required time of exercise in order to be successful, as well as leaving

their schedule open for other classes. ""Physical education not only fulfills a unique role in

education, but is also an integral part of the schooling process" (Boyce). Morning gym is done in

the hours before the regular school day starts. This is beneficial in itself because it wakes

students up before the exhausting day ahead (Forbes). As the sayings goes, the early bird

catches the worm. This way, physical education class does not get in the way of students' busy

schedules, but still provides the needed exercise to focus and prosper.

Overall, Physical Education needs to be a mandatory implementation in schools due to its

vast benefits. Gym class reduces obesity and stimulates positive brain function. Although people

may make counter arguments, it is easy to see that gym is far more beneficial than detrimental.

Without this class, students will continue down the dark path of obesity, where along the way

they will face hardships of disease and poor mood. Teaching the youth of this country about a

healthy life starts closer to home than imagined. It happens on the squeaky floors surrounded by

bleachers that slightly reek of sweat3. It happens on the smiles of gym class volleyball

3 Hypotyposis vivid description of event

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champions. It happens when your average, ordinary, everyday kid, turns into a gym class hero.

Don't encourage an unhealthy lifestyle. Instead promote fitness that gives students tools to be

successful later in life. Promote mandatory gym class for a healthy population. Make America

healthy again!
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Works Cited
BOYCE, B. ANN, and MURRAY MITCHELL. "Physical Education." Encyclopedia of Education,
edited by James W. Guthrie, 2nd ed., vol. 5, Macmillan Reference USA, 2002, pp. 1886-1894.
Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3403200490/OVIC?
u=pl1949&xid=c8b5d7ea. Accessed 22 Mar. 2017.
Cloud, John. "Why Kids' Exercise Matters Less Than We Think." Time. Time Inc., 13 May 2009.
Web. 22 Mar. 2017.
Forbes, Mitchell. We Need Gym Class Heroes. 5 Feb. 2016
Lynn, Diane. "Physical Education to Reduce Obesity in Children." LIVESTRONG.COM. Leaf Group,
07 Feb. 2014. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.
Reynolds, Gretchen. "How Physical Fitness May Promote School Success." The New York Times. The
New York Times, 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.
"Childhood Obesity Facts." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, 25 Jan. 2017. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.
"Physical Education and Childhood Obesity: A Little Helps." Time. Time, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.
"The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise." The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise: The Exercise
Prescription for Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and More. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.
"Why Physical Education Contributes to Violence in School." Edutopia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2017.