To investigate the impact on extracurricular activities with 9th grade high school freshman and lowering their BMI. Previous research has shown that obesity is on the rise. Obesity prevention programs have become a national and international health priority as rates of child obesity have been increasing in nearly all developed countries (Lobstein et al., 2004). With this being talked about young people have been studied to find out the disconnect in education and health consciousness. There are several factors related to successful obesity prevention programs include providing students with needed knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral skills to establish and maintain a healthy diet and engage in regular physical activity (Story, 1999). Although a recent study has examined physical activity by weight and race/ethnicity, the reports have not provided age specific breakdowns by weight or sex which may reveal different patterns and recommendations made for physical activity. (Chung A. E. 2012) BMI has become an international concern in schools and for health care providers and systems, and the World Health Organization (WHO) which has placed this issue of one of the top concerns nationwide. Excess body weight contributes to development of diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, strokes, and a variety of cancers (e.g., Finkelstein et al.2003; Must et al. 1999; Sturm2002). Allison et al. (1999) and Peeters et al. (2003) found that there has been a correlation between swelling body weight and mortality. In particular, Fontaine et al. claimed that reduction in life expectancy of a heavily obese young man may reach up to 22 % of his expected life span, accounting for a 13-year anticipation of death. Fontaine et al. (2003)
The purpose of this study was to add to the existing research that has been done on BMI and the importance of physical activity in young adults. High school freshman students are not motivated to participate in extracurricular activity that will contribute to a lesser BMI because they do not have transportation back and forth. The 9th grade boys show more motivation and lesser BMI from the females. (Ames C. 1992) The school districts must determine a way to include these things during school to encourage both girls and boys to be equally motivated to get their BMI down. The school district must allocate their scarcest resource, which is money. In the current economic times, many school districts are forced to cut spending and budgets (Staples, 2008). One of the most common budget cuts is funding for athletic and extracurricular activities. School districts are cutting coaching supplements, transportation for athletics, and funding for equipment. The school districts need to determine if this is the right course of action. Most students do not participate in extracurricular activities because of transportation. The school districts need to understand the relationship between student’s health and participation in extracurricular activities. They do not want to cut the funding to extracurricular activities if it is going to have a negative impact on student achievement. According to Mokdad et al. (2004), poor diet and lack of physical activity together are about to become one of the leading causes of avoidable death. Philipson and Posner (1999), Lakdawalla and Philipson (2009), Cutler et al. (2003), and Anderson et al. (2003) have all stated that there has been progress which has reinforced healthy lifestyles through reduction of on-the-job physical activity, introduction of labor-saving devices, and increase in the availability of unhealthy processed foods. These trends are particularly harmful for poor socioeconomic groups. Although economic progress and urbanization have reduced the overall opportunities to exercise and access to healthy fruits and vegetables, low-income neighborhoods are the least safe for outdoor physical activity and are the most exposed to cheap calories,” refined grains, sugary drinks, and fast food (Basiotis & Lino 2002; DrewnowskiandSpecter 2004; Ranney & McNamara 2004).
The correlation of BMI and extracurricular activities and the health benefits of both have been a continuous point of discussion. There have been several recommendations that are in the best interest of children’s daily routines that will assist in lowering BMI. vary between guidelines. To better define the amount of PA necessary to prevent overweight and obesity in children, further research is needed. The present study investigates children’s compliance to physical activity guidelines (PAGs) and the association between objectively measured PA and body mass index (BMI). Researchers Mirowsky and Ross (2003) have both suggested that education provides general and cognitive skills, which are key ingredients in the relationship between health and academics. Many authors have also argued that schooling has a direct impact on student health rather its direct or indirect. One of the researcher’s arguments have been that education provides productive abilities and fosters the sense of control throughout life, while developing good habits of preventing or solving problems. It has been shown that education teaches one how to communicate, read, write, inquire, research, interpret, experiment, and synthesize ideas. Ruhm (2012) underlined the role of individual deliberative abilities, rooted in cognitive functioning, which enable individuals to evaluate the long-run implications of their lifestyle choices.
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Video games has also been studied to see if there is a correlation of being overweight with playing video games. However, there are some video games that will allow you to play consoles while being physically active such as the Wii. Playing some games have been associated positively with outcomes such as expending more energy, consuming more oxygen, and increased heart rate among youth when compared to being at rest. Przybylski, A. K., Ryan, R. M., & Rigby, C. S. (2009). In a study that was conducted with young adults, showed that although physical exertion was similar whether individuals were playing active video games alone or with another person in a separate space, playing with another person was considered more enjoyable and motivating than playing alone. Przybylski, A. K., Ryan, R. M., & Rigby, C. S. (2009). Playing an active video game with another person in the same physical space was associated with less physical exertion, likely because of limited space for movement. This motivational advantage for multiplayer games may be critical to whether youth maintain the benefits of playing video games actively over time, something that has yet to be tested. Przybylski, A. K., Ryan, R. M., & Rigby, C. S. (2009).
