A researcher at the University of Texas has discovered that obese girls in America are half as likely to attend college as non-obese girls. This finding is particularly troublesome when you live and work in a state with the fifth highest adult obesity rate in the nation (25.6%) and the third highest rate of overweight high school students (14.6%) that ranks 45th in the percent of adults over age 25 with a bachelor's degree or higher (21.3% compared to 27.2% nationwide). Clearly we need to be concerned about the negative health effects of obesity on the educational attainment of our youth.
Obviously, there isn't a simple solution to the problems of obesity or low educational attainment. However, it is becoming increasingly obvious that schools are one venue for addressing these two critical issues facing the Commonwealth - perhaps even in an integrated fashion. If you saw the movie Akeelah and the Bee, you'll recall her jump rope spelling practice. Innovation such as integrated curriculum is key when working to tackle important issues.
Some of Kentucky's state senators and representatives agree. In the most recent general session, these lawmakers proposed legislation that would bring back physical education into the school day for grades pre-K through 8, including making physical activity a component of the three R's, a la' Akeelah. While this bill didn't reach the governor's desk in 2007, I will contact the author of the Senate legislation to see if she plans to refile.
