September 3rd 2024.
As Australians continue to savor the success of their most victorious Olympic Games, there is a growing concern about the future generation's lack of physical activity. On this National Health and Physical Education Day, experts are raising the alarm about the alarming low levels of physical activity among students.
Professor David Lubans from Newcastle University in New South Wales expressed his worries, stating that despite the hype surrounding physical activity levels, the evidence suggests otherwise. He believes that there needs to be more effort put into getting kids to be more active, as currently only 20% of Australian school students are meeting the recommended physical activity levels. This percentage drops significantly in the older adolescent years.
According to research, while students from kindergarten to year 10 are supposed to engage in 150 minutes of physical activity per week, most schools are not meeting this target. This places Australian students among the lowest in the world for physical activity. In fact, in a recent global study, Australia ranked 140th out of 146 countries.
Professor Lubans believes that this paints a grim picture for Australia, stating that the country is becoming a nation of spectators. He points out that while many may think that the Olympics inspire children to be more active, the reality is that there are many sedentary alternatives for young people, such as electronic devices.
The responsibility to encourage children to be more physically active falls on parents, teachers, and community sports clubs, according to Lubans. They play a crucial role in shaping the activity levels of children both at school and in their community. Lubans emphasizes that the choices made by these gatekeepers will ultimately determine if a child will continue to be physically active in the long run.
One solution to address the low levels of physical activity among students, according to Lubans, is to have more specialist sport teachers in primary schools. He believes that having specialized physical education teachers can greatly improve the quality and quantity of physical activity in schools. With the right guidance and support, perhaps future generations of Australians will be more active and lead healthier lives.
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