Critically evaluate interventions aimed at increasing physical actvity Essay

Critically evaluate interventions aimed at increasing physical actvity levels in school children aged 511 (Primary School) - Essay Example As the physical activity interventions have enough evidence that can avoid diabetes in children, it is as well important to decrease overweight and obesity in children. As obesity is due to the increase of energy intake than the energy expenditure, the physical interventions are necessary for the reasonable energy expenditure in the children. In addition to that the physical activity can help in maintenance of musculoskeletal health and can reduce the increase of fat due to sedentary life style in children. In addition to above aspects, the physical activities will help in psychological development and well being of children as they are capable of avoiding depression, stress and anxiety. As the development of social skills in children need physical activities as well as classroom activities, the physical interventions in primary school children will develop a positive self-image and self esteem thus increasing the quality of life (WHO, 2006). 1 Townsend, Tony (19980 quotes Comenius (1657) and Pestalozzi (1898) along with Froebel (1903) about the physical interventions in the form of play in early childhood education. ... All the above authors recognized play as 'work' of children and is significant in their activities. Supporting the above theory of play, recent works by Anning (1994), Berk (1994) insisted that the inclusion of play in programs can provide theoretical support. In addition to the clinical benefits, the physical activities are helpful in learning also. In addition to that the children in future can develop socially cooperative behavior by engaging themselves in physical activities. To have long term goals from the physical activities, highly skilled teachers are necessary to judge the situation, intervention and recording the events for future planning. To have long term gains, teachers in primary schools should understand the play activities as well as physical activities as tools for learning as well as health. The physical activities can make children to achieve individual and group objectives. To achieve the results of physical activities and for timely implementation of them, the parent teacher partnership is necessary for long term gains of physical activities of children. 2 Children in Playground and Recess Just before analyzing the long term and health benefits of physical activity in children, their playground and recess behavior concern is important. Pellegrini, Anthony (1994) quotes Craig Hart (1993) that emphasizes the importance of recess for children. It is the unique part of the school day and enables children to interact with each other thus paving way for their social behavior of the future. As classrooms do not have peer interaction, the recess provides that and can act as emotional ventilation making them mentally healthy. The physical activities can be termed as