In society nowadays, eating healthy and exercising is pushed to the back burner. Parents are working late or have other priorities and instead of cooking a healthy home cooked meal they result to happy meals or pizza as a cheap fast alternative. Raising a kid on fast food has nothing but negatives. They learn bad eating habits and end up being overweight. Without good healthy role models how are children supposed to develop good eating habits? With education, that’s how. The importance of learning proper health and exercise is so crucial for today’s society. There are too many sedentary, overweight Americans and until something is done, it can only get worse.

Health class should be worked into every school day and recess should remain a necessity. Teachers and parents may see this break in the day as a waste of time but how nice is it to see children interact with their peers? How nice is it to see them run around, play sports, and play on the playground instead of burying their face in the newest electronic device? They are exercising without even realizing it. Children pick up these habits at an early age so let’s make these habits good ones. By teaching health in school, it gives students the chance to learn about the importance of health risks. Americas leading cause of death currently is Heart disease and healthy eating with a good exercise plan eliminates that risk. Without education, children won’t even know what heart disease is or how to prevent it. Therefore, they cannot change what’s to come in the future.

They should not only learn about physical health, but mental, social and emotional health too. With mental health comes anxiety, depression, eating disorders and much more. A large portion of America’s teens suffer from some form of mental illness and on top of that they might not even understand what’s actually going on in their own body. That needs to stop now. It is unacceptable that children and teenagers could be diagnosed with some sort of disorder and not understand how and why. Schools need to provide the proper education to all students so they become aware to the signs in order to help themselves or those around them. Children and teens should have access to the facts and the help that they may need through teaching support and counselors.

Developing children’s social health creates a better and stronger future. It helps them make relationships and communicate with peers so they can improve their skills. Social health helps build friendships that boost self-esteem. Communication is fundamental to growing children in the way that they need to be able to reciprocate what they are being taught and told. Children who cannot express their feelings for themselves can only face larger problems as they age. Communication is essential in not only school and the work place, but in everyday life.

Teaching children about health at an early age helps them maintain a healthy life, family and mind. Keeping this in the curriculum will enhance the quality of their lives and create a positive attitude towards their well-being.