Quick Facts

• Recent studies link physical activity programs to stronger academic achievement, increased concentration and improved math, reading and writing test scores.
• Children who eat poorly or who engage in too little physical activity do not perform as well as they could academically.
• Nearly one-third of children and adolescents, of both sexes, aged 6-19 years (31%) are considered to be either at risk for overweight or are overweight.
• Nine million American children are overweight, triple the number in 1980.
• Children with high self-esteem are less likely to engage in self-destructive behaviors.
• Teen pregnancy among female athletes is seventy six percent lower than non-athletes.
• One in four children get less than 20 minutes of vigorous activity each day.
• Academic achievement of athletes is nearly one full letter grade higher than non-athletes.