Orlando, Florida
March 22, 2000
(Summary by Dr. Steve Jefferies, Central Washington University)
In this keynote presentation Dr. Satcher reported that during the 1990s physical inactivity increased significantly. As a consequence, children became more overweight and obese and there was an increase in type II diabetes, a disease associated with obesity. Childhood obesity has doubled over the past 10 years resulting in what Dr. Satcher referred to as an "epidemic."
Despite the progress society has made in many areas Satcher noted that human behavior remained a challenge influencing approximately 50% of all deaths nationwide. Every year new benefits of physical activity are revealed and it has become apparent that everyone - not only athletes - can enjoy these benefits. A 1996 report by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) noted that cardiovascular related deaths could be reduced by 50% if Americans got moving.
Evidence today some states are cutting back on physical education was in Dr. Satcher's words "penny wise, pound foolish" because the benefits of physical activity encompass the entire lifespan - from birth to death.
The recently released federal report "Healthy Goals 2010" once again supported the many benefits of engaging in regular physical activity. Especially significant as the older population continues to grow is the need to recognize the importance of maintaining life's quality in addition to life expectancy. Satcher noted that presently approximately 53,000 people who do NOT smoke, die annually from smoking related diseases. Aging Americans should be concerned about losing their independence and physical activity is an important means of developing resistance.
Dr. Satcher's call was to get Americans up and moving! He noted that 5 of the 10 leading health indicators were related to lifestyles and that 300,000 people die annually because of inadequate physical activity and poor nutrition.
With specific reference to physical education the US Surgeon General stated that school districts needed to realize that PE was one of the best investments they could make to the health of the community. He also pointed out the need for us to recognize that children were not all the same but that ALL children must have the chance to become physically active even if not highly coordinated or highly skilled. He concluded by urging physical and health educators to "get people addicted to good nutrition and lifetime habits of physical activity."
(Information provided courtesy of www.pelinks4u.org)