Childhood Obesity (6) - The Ontario curricula

The website of the Ontario Ministry of Education lists Health and Physical Education as one of its curricular subjects in both elementary and secondary curricula (Ministry of Education, 2008). It has been noted that the elementary curriculum was dated in 1998 whereas the secondary curriculum was dated in 1999.

Both the Elementary Curriculum and the Secondary Curriculum state that the goals of the subject of health and physical education are to help students develop
· an understanding of the importance of physical fitness, health, and well-being and the factors that contribute to them;
· a personal commitment to daily vigorous physical activity and positive healthy behaviours;
· the basic movement skills they require to participate in physical activities throughout their lives. (Ministry of Education, 1998, p.2; 1999, p.2).

The Elementary Curriculum of Health and Physical Education consists of three strands: physical activity, active living, and healthy living. And the Secondary Curriculum adds an additional strand: living skills.

However, the subject of Physical Education is only mandatory for grade 9 students, but is optional for students of grade 10 to 12. This is not enough, and this may send the wrong message to students that after grade 9, physical activity is an optional thing in life. We certainly do not want our students to get that impression. We need to convey the message that a physically active healthy living is a life-time commitment.

Reference
Ministry of Education (1998). The Ontario Curriculum Grades 1-8: Health and Physical Education. Toronto: Queen’s Printer for Ontario.
Ministry of Education (1999). The Ontario Curriculum Grades 9 and 10: Health and Physical Education. Toronto: Queen’s Printer for Ontario.