Physical Activity Legislation
Part I
Arizona is being overwhelmed by obese individuals. According to America’s Health Rankings (2019), one out of three people in Arizona, and approximately 16% of teens are obese. In addition, the remaining portion has a substantial number of overweight individuals. In making matters worse, the condition is escalating as the percentage of the population that is obese is increasing. From 10% in 1990 to 30% in 2020. The condition portrays several health disparities (America’s Health Rankings, 2019). The percentage of males affected compared to that of women is higher, 31% to 28% respectively. Among the adults, the ones in the age bracket of 45-64 are the most affected, followed by 18- 44 years, and finally above 65 years (America’s Health Rankings, 2019). In regards to education, the ones who attained the highest level of education (college grandaunts) are the least affected, whereas, concerning race, the minority groups are most affected. The highly affected in the minority group is the America Indians/ Alaskan Natives, followed by African Americans and Hispanics. The whites are the lowly affected. This problem is critical due to that it decreases the quality of life, and more so, it leads to the development of life-threatening conditions like hypertension, diabetes, heart complications, and certain forms of cancer. If the problem persists, its occurrence will increase, and subsequently, the number of deaths resulting from it will surge.
Part II
In stemming this catastrophe, physical activity will need to be emphasized in higher education – colleges and universities. However, advocacy through legislation will be the best way of developing this culture. It is because the law will articulate the values and provide permanence to the norms of society. Also, a general plan of action will be set for all of the higher education institutions in the state. It will coherently communicate to the stakeholders about their responsibilities and roles. Finally, this method will offer standardizations in the operational activities, thus clarifying issues of health and safety, and legal liabilities.
Part III
Physical activity in higher education facilities is the best option for combating obesity. The first reason is that the number of colleges in the United States of America offering physical activity is very low. Bestowing to Hirniese (2016) study, which surveyed 354 universities, most of the universities are removing courses that involve physical exercise from their curriculums. In the 1920s, when the number of obese people was significantly low, every student in higher education was required to do a physical activity course. In this era, only 39% of students are required to take the course.
Another reason for choosing this action – physical activity – is that it is proven to be effective in controlling people from being obese or underweight. From a report carried out by Rhode et al. (2017), regular physical activity prevents the development of over 25 chronic health complications, obesity being one of them. The risks of development are reduced by 20 – 30%. Further, higher education students are targeted because research points out that individuals tend to reduce their level of physical activity as they transition from high school to college and beyond (Rhode at al., 2017). Habits sustained in college life are most likely to persist in their adult lives – from the report of Oregon State University, students who are inactive in college continue to be so later in their life (Rhode at al., 2017). Therefore, if this habit is changed, people will continue to undertake physical activity in their lives and consequently preventing themselves from being obese.
In Alabama, there exists a state statute known as Administrative Code 290-3-1-02. It is a physical education requirement coupled with physical activity for students in grades K – 8. The department of Education of Alabama demands every student be assessed his/ her physical fitness every two years through the use of the President’s Challenge Physical Fitness Test (National Academies Press, 2017). Although this is only for lower education, it ought to be replicated to higher education.
Part IV and V
Colleges comprise of numerous stakeholders ranging from students, parents, alumni, accrediting agents, government, academic faculty, non-government organizations, taxpayers, accrediting agents, vendors and suppliers, among others. Stakeholders who will be pleased by this idea are the students and advocacy agents. Most of the students like undertaking in a physical activity class because it is fun and breaks the monotony of the classroom. Additionally, it will provide an avenue for socializing. The advocating agents – mainly health bodies – will be excited with this plan as this strategy will make students healthy and, in turn, be ingrained in their culture. Nonetheless, other stakeholders will impugn the obese management methodology. They include the parents and educational institutions. It is because the two parties will sacrifice a specific resource. The school fees will be higher for the incorporated program; therefore, the parents will pay more. In terms of the institutions, they will be forced to adjust their culture and fit every class with a program. They will have to create a physical activity infrastructure like the schedule, equipment, and field. On top of these, recruit several qualified coaches.
Part VI
Integrating physical activity into the education system will bring about financial impacts. In creating meaningful experiences in the physical activities, Beni et al. (2017) claim that five elements have to be observed: social interaction, challenge, fun, motor competence, and learning that is personally relevant. Therefore, the first step when the legislation is implemented is researching a physical activity that will be meaningful to diverse individuals, thus facilitating the students’ engagement. From here, the curriculum will be developed, then setting up the infrastructure and appointment of coaches who are qualified enough; therefore, making every student take the course freely. All these expenses, inclusive of the research, will total to enormous financial costs, more so, when carrying it at a state level.
Part VII
Arizona has over twenty legislators; however, the best-suited to deal with this matter is one that is inclined towards public health. For instance, Nancy Barto, who has sponsored significant reforms in healthcare. Her credentials are:
State District
PO Box 71297
Phoenix, AZ 85050
Phone: (602) 825-3863
Email: nbarto@azleg.gov OR information@nancybarto.com
In presenting the obese issue and its management plan to the legislator, the typical process of legislative advocacy must be followed. The first step is drafting a letter to her. The document should be brief – with the sender’s address and why the issue is significant. After drafting the letter and doing a follow-up, it is then prudent to pay her a face-to-face visit. In the meeting, the advocating individuals should discuss the issue with the legislator and urge them to introduce and co-sponsor the bill. From there, the bill will undergo the legislative process. The process initiates with its introduction in the House, then referred to the committee, who hold talks on it and eventually pass or disqualify it. The committee has two parts, the subcommittee, and full committee actions. It is first discussed by the former, then the other follows. From the House – after being passed – it will be debated by the two legislatures (House and Senate). On reaching a compromise and approving it, it will finally be signed into law by the governor.
Part VIII
This “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others” (Philippians, 2:4, King James Version) and “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly: defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs, 31:8-9, King James Version) depict several principles of Christians. They include justice and serving others unconditionally. These Christian worldviews ought to be applied in legislative advocacy. Legislators should serve their people, more so the poor and the needy, and they should do so in a fair manner. Their judgments should accomplish the interest of others and should not discriminate against any individual.
References
America’s Health Rankings. (2019). Explore obesity in Arizona | 2019 annual report. Retrieved May 5, 2020, from https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/Obesity/stat
Hirniese, G. (2016, April 14). Physical education requirement in college more necessary than we think. The Arizona State Press. Retrieved May 5, 2020, from https://www.statepress.com/article/2016/04/physical-education-requirement-in-college-more-necessary-than-we-think
Rhodes, R. E., Janssen, I., Bredin, S. S., Warburton, D. E., & Bauman, A. (2017). Physical activity: Health impact, prevalence, correlates and interventions. Psychology & Health, 32(8), 942-975.
National Academies Press (2017). Medicine, I. O., Food and Nutrition Board, & Committee on Physical Activity and Physical Education in the School Environment. Educating the student body: Taking physical activity and physical education to school. National Academies Press.
Beni, S., Fletcher, T., & Ní Chróinín, D. (2017). Meaningful experiences in physical education and youth sport: A review of the literature. Quest, 69(3), 291-312.
Publishers, H. (2012). Holy Bible: King James Version. Hendrickson Publishers.