Imagine a world where two out of three Americans are over fat. Imagine a world where 23.5% of Americans smoke. How about you just look outside. You’re there in this world. Health class can help.
First off, Health class is preparing kids for the future, before it’s too late. Do you know how hard it is to break a bad habit? Whether it is in “being a bad sport”, or a drug habit, change is difficult for many. Some kids might have a food obsession. Health Class gives you tips on the health related bad habits and tells you how to avoid them, so you don’t start unhealthy choices. Did you know that America is the fattest country in the world? 66% of the adult population is overweight! Kids need to learn now before they slowly slip away into that group. I know many of you are probably thinking, “Ugh! Health is boring!” Well maybe it is, but the healthy lifestyles it will teach you, is very important.
Health class also helps you do better in your other classes as well. Kids learn about the six nutrients and the food pyramid, and that if you combine them you’ll have more energy for the day. For example, if you combine carbohydrates, protein, and fiber, you’ll have energy throughout the day. The fiber will keep you full longer, so you don’t get distracted, and it will help you concentrate. The carbohydrates and protein will give you much more energy. If you eat Reece’s Puffs, with all that sugar, it will supply you quickly with energy and then the energy will leave you quickly. You will also not be full for a very long period, and you will be out of energy. Many nutritionists have proven this. Better concentration + more energy = better grades!
During Health class you also learn about drug abuse. Research shows that if kids learn about drugs now, there is a greater chance they won’t start using drugs in the future. America has been dropping the percentages of smokers a lot since 1965 (42.4% to 23.5%). Maybe health class has something to do with this success. Health class is preparing the way for kids to be drug free in the future.
As the smoking problem is going down, obesity for children is skyrocketing! Health class emphasizes the benefits of exercise and the fitness components. This will hopefully get more kids to exercise. Exercise is the best thing for them now. Did you know that the best way to prevent diabetes is exercising? Eating nutritiously is second. I did not know that.
In health class kids learn about social and mental health, which are the elements of health that most people ignore. Learning about these important elements prevent kids from having depression, getting involved with the wrong people, peer pressure, body image, and much more. Many students had no clue the importance of these elements until they take a health class. This information really helped kids who are very self-conscious.
Health class has an incredible impact on the kids that pay attention. It would be very difficult for me to tell you which part of health is the most important. All of them are extremely good for your life! You know what’s sad though is that 2 out of 3 of the students will walk away unchanged by health class. Do you see the connection? That is why health class is so criticle to us kids!
-Brett S.