California Educator

February 09

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Book helps teachers with larger students One-size-fits-all instruction doesn’t belong in the classroom, and it’s time to remove it from the playing field and gymnasium, says David Kahan, a physical education professor and re- searcher at San Diego State University. Because student size has increased dramatically, reflect- ing a national obesity epidemic, educators should revamp their in- struction and help overweight kids become healthier. “With 20 to 30 percent of stu- dents overweight or obese — a threefold increase since the 1980s — the likelihood of a physical ed- ucator having such students has greatly increased,” says Kahan, a member of the California Faculty Association. “Because of this trend, teaching should change in terms of methodology and curriculum.” To help teachers, he has co-authored a new university students studying to become PE teach- ers onto the playground to help youngsters be- come physically fit. He lets his older students know that being physically active on a daily basis is cru- cial for children struggling with weight issues. “It’s important on many levels,” says Kah- an. “It’s not only important for a child’s health, but also for his or her well-being. Oftentimes these students are stigmatized. Over- weight and obese youth carry social, psychological and emo- tional burdens that often lead to anger, despair and ultimately a sedentary lifestyle.” His book helps school staff David Kahan San Diego State University book, Supersized PE: A Comprehensive Guide- book for Teaching Overweight Students, which is available through the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). “It doesn’t work to treat all children the same,” says Kahan. “You may have to make the activity less difficult or demanding because of the extra weight, since the range of motion or flexibility can become compromised and fatigue sets in faster. Some overweight students can run, play and do the same things that non-over- weight students can do. But this book will pre- pare teachers for handling those students who can’t.” Kahan speaks from personal experience. His daughter, now 9, was at one time overweight and inactive. “She loved to eat and did not want to exercise,” he recalls. “I had her examined by an endocrinologist several years ago, when she went from the risk of being overweight to ex- ceeding the 85th percentile.” Kahan came up with a plan for her to become healthier. Today, he says, she’s in great shape and plays soccer. Kahan is director of the Hardy Elementary School PE program in San Diego, which brings understand what life is like for an overweight child and how teach- ers can help create a positive atti- tude that encourages — rather than discourages — physical activity. The most successful situations occur when teachers, coaches, school nutrition directors, nurses, administrators, parents and community Top: San Cayetano Elementary students run morning laps to get a good start on the day in Fillmore. leaders work together in a coordinated effort to promote overall well-being of students — and to urge local schools to increase activity levels of students so they can meet fitness goals. “Teachers should not be afraid of taking this on,” he says. “Teaching this increasingly prevalent population can be a joy as well as a challenge.” To order a copy of Supersized PE, visit www. aahperd.org/naspe. The following are a few tips David Kahan recommends for teachers. > Emphasize a child’s strengths: If it’s something they enjoy or are good at, they are much more likely to do it. > Foster a positive atmosphere: The child’s environment should feel safe and inviting, free of sarcasm, insults and harassment, and be a consistent source of comfort and encouragement. > Focus on behaviors, not outcomes: Help students control behaviors and focus on how to change, not the results of changing. > Avoid the spotlight: Overweight children should not be placed in situations in which their physical performance is on display for all to see and critique. It is better to offer physical activity settings in which the overweight child can blend in and work at his or her own pace/level. > Nutrition is key: Teach young people how to make smart food choices. Teach overweight children about serving sizes, how to select low-fat snacks and how to recognize when they are full. > Reduce screen time: The numbers tell the story. During the average 3.47 daily hours a 100-pound child spends engaged in screen-based media (TV, computer, video games), he or she burns 166 calories, contrasted with swimming (666), walking the dog briskly (687), playing half-court basketball (937) or hiking (957). february 2009 | www.cta.org 13

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