STUDENTS FITNESS STUTTERS : PRECIS

 

The gutting of schools' physical-education requirements is cited as one reason behind America's obesity problem [ '' Marching on their stomachs '', January 14th].

However, school PE programmes often serve unfit students very poorly. They are designed by the fit, for the fit, and make little attempt to be rewarding and halfway-pleasant for the less-fit.

They emphasise competition between students with little allowance for differing levels of ability. Seriously unfit children find them painful and humiliating rather than helpful.

Schools could indeed do more to get children into better shape, but in this regard the focus should be on helping the less-fit to find sustainable ways to get more exercise, not on selecting and training top student athletes.

The World Students Society thanks author Henry Spencer, Toronto.