The Effects of School Sports Programs on Obesity in Adolescents

Abstract

In the Southeastern United States, healthcare issues related to obesity in adolescents ages 13-18 years have become a growing concern. Along with an increasing body mass index in these adolescents comes many other comorbidities that cost patients and taxpayers millions of dollars annually in healthcare. North Carolina has identified this as a problem and is taking steps to address this issue, including increasing physical activity and addressing nutrition in schools (Park, 2007). Research from the CDC shows that almost one third of North Carolina's population is classified as obese. This means that they have a body mass index of thirty or higher. This is one of the highest percentages in the country. This is a growing concern because the CDC has shown that this trend has been increasing steadily (CDC, 2010). The rural areas in which many of these adolescents live and the access to physical activity in these areas play a major role in this epidemic (Lipman, Schucker, Ratcliffe, Holmberg, Baier, & Deatrick, 2011). Programs such as after-school sports teams can help to provide these adolescents with the access to physical activity that can help combat many of these risk factors of these comorbidities, such as increasing body fat due to sedentary activity. For this to be effective, schools must provide activities that interest the students and will provide them with healthy habits to carry on later in life.