Sedentary Lifestyles in Education: A Threat to Overall Wellness
An increasingly sedentary lifestyle is causing several physical health issues – like obesity, poor posture, and decreased energy levels – and contributing to mental health problems like increased stress, anxiety, and reduced cognitive function. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly a third of the global population (about 1.8 billion people) risk being disease-prone if they do not get enough physical activity.
Lifestyle habits strike roots during childhood. As a result, prolonged lack of physical activity can adversely impact students too, hindering their academic as well as personal development. Part of the problem of sedentary lifestyle among students lies with our education systems that prioritize academic achievement over physical and mental well-being.
In this age of unlimited access to social media, online video games, and other internet-based activities, sedentary lifestyle has become commonplace among GenZ, a serious, yet insufficiently addressed challenge.
The shift to remote learning, which began as a workaround to the COVID-19-induced global lockdowns, has exacerbated sedentary lifestyles among students. Greater access to digital devices for education, entertainment, and communication, constant screen time, and lack of outdoor engagement meant students spent more time indoors, reducing opportunities for physical activity.
As life returned to normal, parents took cognizance of this imbalance; and are now concerned about balancing their children’s academic success with an active and healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, due to academic performance taking priority over physical education, the majority of traditional school systems fail to fully address this challenge. However, to ensure long-term physical and mental health of their children, many parents are now actively seeking alternative ways to encourage physical activity alongside academic achievement.
How Physical Fitness Enhances Your Child’s Learning and Well-Being
Physical fitness plays a crucial role in enhancing a child’s learning. Regular physical activity not only improves concentration, memory, and cognitive functions, but also builds resilience, reduces stress, and promotes mental well-being, thus positively impacting academic performance.
Scientific research has demonstrated that regular physical activity directly enhances cognitive function, improving memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. It strengthens emotional resilience, improves the ability to manage stress, and cope with challenges more effectively. Therefore, it is critical that schools integrate tailored physical activity programmes in the overall curriculum. This will go a long way in providing students with a positive outlet for stress and encouraging social connections.
Integrating physical education, sports, and fitness into the curriculum will help to combat sedentary behaviours, promote healthier lifestyles among students, and instill lifelong habits, enabling students to build healthier lifestyles and improve academic performance. For instance, at GSIS, we strive to find the right balance between rigorous academic requirements and daily physical activities by incorporating regular exercises into the school day and adopting sports and adventure programmes to improve overall student outcomes, both in the classroom and in life.
Creating Thriving Learners with a Comprehensive Wellness Approach
A curriculum that incorporates health education, mental health support, and physical fitness can create a school environment that ensures holistic development of the students. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA, recommends that children aged between 6 and 17 years of age should do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical exercises, including aerobics, muscle-strengthening, and bone strengthening.
Daily physical activity and sports alongside academic schedules enhance students’ academic performance by improving focus and concentration. This is because regular exercise increases blood flow to the brain, enhancing cognitive function, mental clarity, ability to absorb and retain information more effectively, thereby leading to better academic outcomes.
Schools must also encourage students to actively participate in various sports. By engaging in team sports, students can learn essential life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and discipline, that aid personal development and help to prepare for future life challenges.
It is important to note that addressing the varying developmental and fitness needs of different age groups, such as children and adolescents, requires customizing physical activity programmes according to the unique physical and psychological growth stages. Therefore, it is recommended that schools use tailored programmes to provide students with age-appropriate physical activity that promote engagement, reduce the risk of injury, and build a positive attitude toward fitness.
To create a supportive environment for physical activity, both inside and outside the school, it is essential that schools engage parents in the proposed wellness initiatives. This involvement will reinforce the importance of physical activity, encourage children to participate in fitness-related activities, and instill lifelong habits of physical activity.
A key aspect of wellness is nutrition. A balanced diet provides essential nutrients to support physical health, cognitive function, emotional well-being, and prevent diseases. Schools that provide meals should ensure that the students are provided with a well-balanced nutrient diet. Further, schools must educate students about the importance of fueling their bodies correctly. By emphasizing the need for proper nutrition in enhancing their academic performance, athletic abilities, and making informed choices, schools can support the overall well-being and success of their students. For instance, GSIS has a specially curated dining service that offers a variety of healthy vegetarian and non-vegetarian meal options to meet the dietary and nutritive needs of growing children in the school.
A Lesson from Olympic Athletes: Early Sports as a Pathway to Lifelong Achievement
Many Olympic medallists, such as multiple medal-winning swimmer Michael Phelps, have often credited their success to starting sports at a young age. Phelps, who started swimming competitively at just seven years of age, dedicated countless hours to training. This allowed him to develop essential skills, such as discipline, focus, and physical fitness.
Phelps is just one of the many examples of early starters. Many schools and universities, particularly in the U.S., such as those showcased during the 2024 Olympics, foster athletic talent through early engagement and well-structured sports programmes. These institutions have comprehensive athletics departments, where students can access professional coaching and state-of-the-art training facilities. Students can hone their athletic skills through years of participation in sports programmes, and by the time they graduate, they are ready to compete successfully at the highest levels of competition, including the Olympics.
In India too, there are several schools, like GSIS, that are committed to providing early sports education to their students. With comprehensive sports programmes included in their overall curriculum, these schools encourage and support students to participate in various sports from a young age. This not only helps students inculcate important life skills such as collaboration, team work, and perseverance for success in any field, but also instill the skills needed to overcome the challenges in life.
Conclusion: A Model for the Future of Education
Research has shown that physical activity not only enhances academic performance but also improves mood and reduces anxiety, resulting in a more positive learning environment.
Schools that integrate physical health into the overall academic journey, create a supportive atmosphere to nurture the overall well-being of students and equip them with the resilience and skills necessary for lifelong success.
The “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds” philosophy can set a blueprint for future-ready education, where students are empowered to succeed not just academically, but for a balanced and fulfilling life beyond the classroom.
