By By Chandler Myers
Obesity has become a national problem and is not only affecting adults but is becoming apparent in children who are even more at risk of becoming overweight.
Exercise and activity are main aspects in fighting obesity and that is the fight that physical education teachers take on with students.
Huxford elementary physical education teacher, coach Theodore White has been with Huxford for 22 years and teaches his students the importance of being active.
White said he understands how bad obesity is becoming and keeps his children active everyday to ensure they are getting exercise.
The physical fitness test is a requirement all schools must complete with their students.
It involves five categories including a one-mile run, a curl-up test, a v-reach test, a sit-up test and a shuttle run.
A.C. Moore PE coach Donnie Faulk tests his kids and even attempts to reward them for their efforts.
Faulk said his students are able to win medals and possibly a party.
Rachel Patterson Elementary School physical education teacher Tammy Smith teaches movement education.
Her curriculum keeps her students moving as much as possible even if they might be waiting their turn.
Smith said her class plays active games and while some children are participating the others that are waiting for their turn are still continuously move. She added that her classes move for the full 30-minutes they are in PE.
Energy is the key to staying active, and at Escambia Academy the younger children always have enough to burn, according to coach Heath Gibson.
Gibson said his students keep active during his PE class. He added that they do several exercises and even compete to stay healthy.
Exercising is just one part of fighting obesity. The other part is eating right, and Faulk teaches his students one of the best ways to stay healthy is to eat healthy.
Faulk said he goes over all of aspects of healthy eating and gives his students examples.