2012 Shape of the Nation Report

With health threats from overweight and obesity still looming, physical activity in schools continues to be a hot button. How do U.S. children rank when it comes to physical education and exercise? Here are some highlights from the 2012 Shape of the Nation Report: Status of Physical Education in the USA:

• 14% of students did not participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on any day during the 7 days before the survey.
• 71% of students were physically active at least 60 minutes per day on fewer than 7 days during the 7 days before the survey.
• 48% of students did not attend physical education classes in an average week when they were in school.
• 69% of students did not attend physical education classes daily when they were in school.
• 32% of students watched television 3 or more hours per day on an average school day.
• 31% of students used computers 3 or more hours per day on an average school day.

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education and the American Heart Association produced the report, which is available in its entirety here: www.aahperd.org/naspe/publications/upload/2012-Shape-of-Nation-full-report-web.pdf.