We've Come a Long Way, Baby! Or Have We?

In 20 years since the publication of the paper, public health concerns, particularly those related to the increased prevalence of overweight, obesity, and diabetes, have led to calls for schools to become more proactive in the promotion of healthy, physically active lifestyles. Because of its prominent position as the only required program in the United States that focuses on physical activity, physical education has been central to many efforts. This presentation focuses on four aspects. The first is increased knowledge base about the importance of physical activity, including its relationship to health and academic achievement. Second is the development of documents and guidelines by government and health agencies, including the Surgeon General's Report (1996), Guidelines for School and Community Programs to Promote Lifelong Physical Activity among Young (1997), the School Health Index (2004), Healthy People 2010 and 2020, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2008), and the National Physical Activity Plan (2010). Third is an examination of the impact of various programs such as the PEP grants, No Child Left Behind, and Evidence-Based PE (e.g., CATCH, SPARK). Fourth is a glimpse at the current status of physical education by examining data generated from questionnaires completed by state physical education coordinators (Shape of the Nation Report, NASPE, 2010) and through the systematic observation of PE classes.