On average, students spend over 1000 hours in school per year. Schools are second only to parents and peers in their influence on student’s habits. Whether they like it or not, schools share a responsibility in the fight against childhood obesity. Children and adolescents who are overweight by age eight are 80 percent more likely to become overweight or obese as adults.  “More than 9 million U.S. children ages 6 to 19 are overweight, according to the 2006 Shape of the Nation Report by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education and the American Heart Association.” (Robertson & Spivak, 2006).  A measurement called percentile of Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to identify overweight and obesity in children and adults. “About 15.5 percent of adolescents (ages 12 to 19) and 15.3 percent of children (ages 6 to 11) are obese. The increase in obesity among American youth over the past two decades is dramatic.  Obesity is as equally dangerous in comparison to the use of drugs.  During the past two decades, the prevalence of obesity in children has risen greatly worldwide. Obesity in childhood causes a wide range of serious complications, and increases the risk of premature illness and death later in life, raising public-health concerns. Results of research have provided new insights into the physiological basis of bodyweight regulation. However, treatment for childhood obesity remains largely ineffective. In view of its rapid development in genetically stable populations, the childhood obesity epidemic can be primarily attributed to adverse environmental factors for which straightforward solutions exist. Schools can help by reviewing the research and following the guidelines presented. Schools can changing the foods they serve on school premises, increase the amount of appropriate activity for students during the day and provide education on nutrition and fitness to parents and students.

School is a vital asset for children to learn and practice healthy habits. However it seems that many students are choosing not to participate in PE.  Many students are able to have a written note from parents allowing them to not take a PE class and instead take a different elective. Also many PE programs are ate being cut due to budget reasons.  According to the American Heart Association very few states require daily PE in grades K - 12.  PE maybe the most important class a student can take, yet these programs are being cut.