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OBESITY AND THE ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION
ENVIRONMENT
by coauthors
Phillip Conatser & Chris
Ledingham
Obesity rates have risen significantly
over the last 30 years, and this is
most evident among our children. As
physical educators we now face a most
difficult challenge in that we must
work with these students who are overweight
and obese and not only teach them the
knowledge and skills to be lifelong
physically active people, but we must
deal with their current physical and
mental state of health. While there
have always been a few overweight students,
we now live in a time ( and some of
us teach in schools) where large percentages
of our classes are overweight and/or
obese. The traditional methods of instruction
may indeed work for most of these children,
but there are a rising number of students
for which the traditional forms of instruction
are not working, and special adaptations
must be made to accommodate these students.
These accommodations
need not be extensive, so long as teachers
are properly trained to deal with students
who are overweight and obese. Now this
brings up an interesting problem are
today's teachers properly trained? Think
back to your own education as a teacher.
Did you learn how to deal with students
who are overweight and obese? Did your
training provide you with the correct
amount of information needed to properly
deal with these types of students?
Now given
these questions, here are a few highlights
of the facts of the problem as well
as some suggestions that physical educators
can do to improve the physical education
classroom experience for those students
who are overweight or obese.
The
Facts of the Problem
- Overweight affects 55% of adults
and 25% of school-age children in
the United States. Further, 17% of
the children and adolescents are considered
obese.
- Overweight
is 10 to 20% above ideal body fat
for sex and age; Obese is
20% above ideal body fat; and Morbid
Obese is 50% above ideal body
fat.
- Obesity
rates are increasing, and are a major
health concern, because today's children
are now presenting with diseases that
once we only heard of in adult populations.
Diseases such as diabetes,
hypertension,
and the other metabolic
disorders are now evident in these
children who when diagnosed at such
an early age are faced with side effects
that usually don't manifest until
later in life.
- The main
factors involved in obesity are environment
and behavior. The main problem is
our society's acceptance of a sedentary
life style coupled with an abundance
of inexpensive unhealthy food.
- Secondary
factors not as common include genetics,
endocrine
system disorders, and hypothalamic
dysfunctions. Note that genetics does
play a strong role in where fat accumulates
and is distributed on the body.
- Considering
only 10% of the people who try to
lose weight achieve lifelong control,
teachers need to approach this problem
holistically.
Not just looking at diet and exercise,
but changes in behaviors and perception
as well as environmental factors at
home and the community.
Suggestions for Physical
Activity Accommodations
When making accommodations for children
who are obese or overweight the physical
education teacher must have in their
arsenal a variety of games and modifications
that are fun for the student, yet do
not isolate the student or make them
stand out from the others. Here are
a few suggestions that can be used to
help get a student started upon the
right path to both lose weight and improve
their health.
- Prior to engaging in any type of
strenuous activity the student should
have a complete physical assessment
completed by a physician. This is
very important for students who may
have hypertension or other cardiovascular
conditions.
- The student
should engage in non-weight-bearing
activities, exercise daily 30 or more
minutes (split workout for best results),
and maintain an intensity of 40% to
60% of VO2 max. (must be able to carry
on a conversation while exercising)
- Help the
student to vary the workout routine
daily. It may be helpful to assign,
or have the student select a partner/buddy
when exercising, and make activities
fun (music, stimulating equipment,
cooperative games, friendly supportive
atmosphere).
- Extra hydration
maybe warranted because of excessive
sweating and becoming hot more quickly
than nonobese. When exercising allow
for more water hydration, breaks,
and/or preform activities intermittent.
- Increase
warm-up and cool-down time (slowly
change body temperature). Activities
such as Qigong,
Yoga,
and Palaties
are great activities to start or end
a workout session. These activities
are also much needed for people who
are obese because they often lacking
in strength, flexibility, and balance.
- Help the
student to set goals, develop a written
contract, keep records of performance,
and manage time to allow for physical
activity.
- Have the
student avoid activities that require
lifting ones' body weight and high-impact
activities such a pull-ups, gymnastics
activities (rigs, uneven bars, high
bar, etc), rope climbing, and pyramid
building.
- Thermoregulation
may be another problem when exercising
for overweight or obese students,
so try to maintain a cool or neutral
temperature and humidity in the classroom
environment. If outside weather is
too hot, have the student take frequent
breaks, and use cool water or wet
towels to help with overheating. For
cold weather, layer clothes to help
regulate body temperature. When weather
is extreme an alternative activity
could be considered in the gym and/or
choose a different time of day.
- Chafing
of the skin between the thighs, underarms,
and around the abdominal area can
be painful for students and may be
slow to heal. Areas of the skin that
rub together could be wiped with baby
powder or a non gelling lubricant
before exercising. Areas of contact
between the thighs could be covered
with pantyhose, athletic sleeves,
or stretch-pants. Athletic sleeves
can also be used on the arms. Additionally,
excessive sweating can also promote
chafing; therefore, provide ample
ventilation (fans) and clothing that
allows the body to cool.
- Fear of
falling can be a concern with knock-knees,
pronated/flat feet, and a awkward
shoulder-width gait - creating mobility
and balance problems. To help overcome
fear, have the students participate
in slower moving activities, use softer
equipment, play on a level playing
surface, use extra mats, and have
proper spotters (2 or more). Spotters,
buddies, and classmates can also be
used to encourage and motivate performance.
- Cycling,
arm ergometry, and rowing are great
cardiovascular
activities with little impact to joints
and bones.
- Swimming
is another great activity for people
who are obese. Water properties allow
for movement and floatation opportunities
not afforded on land. With the ability
to float well, they could be seen
as equals or even leaders of water
activities. Remember to let them keep
their shirt on if they choose, nontraditional
clothing maybe needed, and privacy
in the dressing room is a must.
- Vary workout
routine daily, have a partner/buddy
when exercising, and make activities
fun (music, stimulating equipment,
cooperative games, friendly supportive
atmosphere).
- Cooperative
recreational games encourage everyone
to work together for success. Activities
should be designed to allow for choices
in equipment (big/small balls, light/heavy
bats), choices in distance (close/faraway,
low/high), and choices to modify rules
(two bounces in tennis, no double-dribble
in basketball).
- To increase
understanding for teachers, coaches,
parents, and other students role playing
may be used. Role playing is one way
to "walk a mile" is someone
shoes. Have those not faced with being
obese put on a 40% of the body weight
back-pack an try to run, climb, or
do a cartwheel. The extra weight can
really make a difference in energy
out-put and balance. Use this as a
talking point and an opportunity for
the realization of the effort obese
individuals make to perform the simplest
of tasks.
These suggestions are just a start
in working with students who are overweight
or obese, and are offered only as that
- suggestions.
In schools across the world, teachers
are employing these tactics and others
to help ensure a positive and health
enhancing physical education experience.
The harder task of working with these
students is that of being aware of the
mental and emotional stresses that obese
students face. Issues with self-confidence,
self-esteem
and self-efficacy
are common problems that obese students
face in the physical education environment.
To help overcome these issues some
schools are separating students in to
classes based on physical ability and
to create a controlled supportive environment
that is conducive to proper activity
that is health enhancing, both physically
and mentally. If time, personnel, and
budgets allow this may be a viable option,
but in many cases this is not possible
and teacher must do all they can to
minimize the challenges that overweight
and obese students face. |
