Schools Should Provide Opportunities for 60 Minutes of Daily Physical Activity to All Students

Given the implications for the overall health, development, and academic success of children, schools should play a primary role in ensuring that all students have opportunities to engage in at least 60 minutes per day of vigorous or moderate-intensity physical activity, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

Recent estimates suggest that only about half of school-age children meet this evidence-based guideline for promoting better health and development.

The report recommends that most daily physical activity occur during regular school hours in physical education classes, recess or breaks, and classroom exercises, with additional opportunities available through active commutes to and from school, before- and after-school programs, and participation in intramural or varsity sports.

Kirtland Peterson

Full report (free)