Howard County public school students increased their physical activity during gym class over a two-year period, but they fell short of meeting the federal standard.
“What does this mean in terms of our goals of addressing obesity, and how do we use this as a useful measure of informing the general public?” asked Board Member Mary Kay Sigaty at a recent School Board meeting.
Jackie French, instructional facilitator for physical education and dance, submitted a report to the board on the school system?s progress in the Bodies and Minds in Motion program, covered by a nearly $480,000 federal grant.
At the elementary, middle and high school levels, a sample of more than 2,000 students failed to reach the school?s goal of increasing movement from 50 percent to 75 percent, according to the report.
From Oct. 1, 2003, to Dec. 31, 2005, students? movement was assessed using pedometers, heart-rate monitors and computer-generated health fitness reports.
Computer laptops were also provided to chart students? progress. Health fitness data using FITNESSGRAM software were collected on cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition.
Movement in physical education class was calculated using pedometers, small-step counters that clip to a person?s shoes or clothes.
Sigaty said she wants the report explained in detail at an upcoming School Board meeting.
Though the school system fell short of its goal, French said it didn?t necessarily mean that students weren?t being active in class.
For example, she said pedometers don?t calculate the activity of someone lifting weights.
At a glance
The average amount of time spent in physical education class over a two-year period as measured by a sample of eight schools increased:
» 37 percent to 42 percent at the elementary school evel
» 43 percent to 48 percent at the middle school level
» 34 percent to 38 percent at the high school level
– Source: Bodies and Minds in Motion Report
