With our nation experiencing one of the largest obesity epidemics in history, the investment in physical education in schools is essential. One of the biggest problems people have is understanding the difference and importance of P.E. for students compared with after-school physical activity or athletics.

Although all are important, there is a difference. P.E. provides "curriculum-based instruction," while after-school physical activity or athletics do not. P.E. should be an important component of a comprehensive education for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

According to Nancy Carr of the California Department of Education, physical "education" is a phenomenon unique to the U.S. It is unique because it is intended to teach students how to be fit for life. It's not about playing games; it doesn't solely focus on teaching students to be a star athlete; it doesn't just focus on having physical activity after school; P.E. is about instructing students on skill development to build student learning related to the California P.E. Content Standards.

California P.E. Content Standards are designed to instruct students on motor skills, movement and performance strategies for fitness and health. These strategies will teach students how to demonstrate and apply the learning and performance of physical activity.

Qualified P.E. teachers hold a single subject credential authorizing instruction in P.E. According to Raymond Armijo Jr., a credentialed P.E. teacher and graduate of California State University, Fullerton, "Part of preparing children to have lifelong health skills includes providing P.E. instruction with nutrition education." He also reminds us of the link between the "healthy body and sound mind" principle. When students actively participate in P.E., they are healthier, have better attendance in school, better academic skills and a positive attitude.

There are five California public school P.E. Content Standards required in grades K-8 and three standards requiring P.E. in grades 9-12. According to California Education Code (51210), P.E. is the only subject requiring 200 minutes for every 10 consecutive school days for grades 1-6 and 400 minutes for every 10 consecutive school days for grades 7-12. Elementary school districts with grades 1-8 require a minimum of 200 minutes for every 10 consecutive days.

Barriers to quality elementary P.E. include funding, lack of time, facility use and content knowledge by trained teachers, support from administration, school culture, parents and community.

From the public-health perspective, Robert Levin, M.D., medical director for the Ventura County Public Health Department, supports the need for P.E. in schools and the promotion of physical activity for children throughout the day. Public Health supports Ventura County schools through the Coordinated School Health Institute, in partnership with the American Cancer Society. Through the Network for a Healthy California Project, Public Health's Power Play! Program is coordinated by JoAnn Torres, M.A., who quotes FITNESSGRAM statistics that "over one-third of children on the Gold Coast are unfit and over one-quarter are obese." The Power Play! Program provides qualifying low-income schools with free nutrition education and physical activity curriculum and resources for teachers in grades 4-5 and Community Youth Organizations who work with youth ages 9-11.

According to Dr. Levin, kids who play hard every day may be making their brains, as well as their bodies, stronger. Researchers have found that children who exercise on a regular basis have more neural activity in the frontal areas of their brains. This serves as evidence that children who are physically active may be better able to organize schoolwork, do class projects and learn mathematics.

— Ramona Armijo-Sloan, Ph.D., (abd), M.P.H is with Ventura County Public Health. Jennifer Finnerty is with the American Cancer Society. Both are supporters of Summerfest and Coordinated School Health.