New Kids’ Athletics Competitions Effect on Losing Weight of Elementary School Pupils

Abstract

The overweight and obesity spreads among children around the world, the matter that the World Health Organization helps the countries to take action. Overweight and obesity in childhood affect negatively both physical and psychological health. Inactivity and unhealthy diet are most causing factors. Physical activity provides children with immediate and long-term health benefits. In Egypt and most of developing countries physical education classes are the only directed and regular physical activity for children. Increasing the dose of physical activity for obese children reduces the percentage of body fat. The attitude of the students toward physical education classes is important for participation. Enjoyment and usefulness could positively change this attitude. The planned curriculum by the authors relied on new competitive games. These games were retrieved from Athletics events and supported by the physical abilities considering the visual, auditory and mental perceptions. Ashweel WHtR chart was used to recognize the overweight children for the pre and post measurements. The result was significant as the ratio of WHtR for all children is decreased although they still in the yellow area. The author recommended to extend the same curriculum planning to the other sports activities.