title: Support for Physical Education as a Core Subject in Urban Elementary Schools.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical inactivity and childhood obesity are prevalent in American children, with increased vulnerability in minority, low-resource populations. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of physical education (PE) on in-school physical activity quantity and intensity in urban minority children attending public elementary schools.
  
  
  METHODS
  This observational study included elementary children (N=212; mean age, 9.9 years; 81.7% black) in Grades 2-5 attending urban public schools with high eligibility for the National School Lunch Program. In-school physical activity was quantified during 4 school weeks across 4 months (January-April 2012) using Omron HJ-151 accelerometer-pedometers. Fitness was assessed with the 20-meter Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run. Data were analyzed in 2013 using generalized estimating equations to determine the influence of PE and sex on total in-school steps and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) steps.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on 3,379 observation days (mean, 15.9 school days/student), students achieved higher in-school physical activity on days with PE (4,979 steps) than on days without PE (3,683 steps, p<0.0001). Likewise, MVPA steps were greater on days with PE than on days without PE (p<0.0001). Boys were more active than girls, but both accumulated more steps on days with PE. Low aerobic fitness was observed in 29.0% of students and overweight/obesity in 31.1%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PE significantly increases total in-school and MVPA steps in urban minority elementary children. PE as a core subject can provide opportunities for urban, minority public school children in low-resource areas to achieve age-appropriate physical activity and fitness goals.
authors.affiliation: Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: Jacqueline C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.affiliation: Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: B Ruth
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: Carling E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.affiliation: Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri. Electronic address: racettes@wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Susan B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Racette
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008923:Missouri / Q000208:ethnology; D009043:Motor Activity; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000592:standards*; D012572:School Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students; D014505:Urban Population