Fifteen Years After the Surgeon General's Report: Challenges, Changes, and Future Directions in Physical Education

Abstract

Great anticipation surrounded the release of the first ever Surgeon General's report on physical activity and health in 1996. The report stated that physical activity can contribute significantly to overall levels of health and the quality of life for all Americans. However, since the report's release, little has improved in the health status of children and adults in the United States. Over 33% of the adult population and 16% of the nation's children are obese (CDC, 2009). The purpose of this review is to examine the historical role of physical education, the impact of the Surgeon General's report, the role of Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) programs in preparing future physical education teachers, and current developments related to physical activity and health in the United States.

Keywords:

• Physical education
• physical activity