Our favorite pioneer for tying physical activity and learning, Phil Lawler, sent a great one-slide slide showA 2007 article by Donald Siegel is important reading for anyone concerned about academic achievement and the fitness/health of youth - especially minority youth. (For the full article)In summary: "Two of the most serious issues faced by society today are the obesity epidemic affecting youths and the academic achievement gap that exists between African American and Hispanic students compared to white and Asian American students. To address the latter problem, Congress implemented No Child Left Behind (NCLB), an effort to focus in-school and after-school programming on basic literacy skills. Unfortunately, pressures to meet standards have inadvertently resulted in the reduction in physical activity time and structured physical education programs for many children. Consequently, NCLB may have unintentionally neutralized a potential asset in the battle against childhood obesity. Also, despite NCLB, the academic achievement gap appears to be fairly resistant to being reduced. To assess the possible benefit of physical education in addressing childhood obesity and the achievement gap, Burton and VanHeest (2007) examined the interrelatedness of physical activity, obesity, and academic achievement among minority children. " We have posted their very powerful single slide here.
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