Eight ESS core courses and their role in addressing obesity

Societal Needs and Our Field

Three pressing societal needs/challenges that we face today are obesity, a stagnant economy, and environmental pollution. Each one needs to be overcome and the eight ESS core courses can help society to meet these challenges.

The Foundations of PE are important in these challenges in that they provide the framework for a healthy and active lifestyle. They can help young people to fight obesity by teaching how to exercise effectively. They can also provide the kind of self-discipline and desire to better oneself that is needed mentally in today's economy: instead of settling for a low-paying, waitressing job, a toughness of mind developed via these foundations can help a young person persevere and reach his or her goals. In terms of the environment, the self-awareness that these foundations can support can extend to not only how we treat our bodies but also how we treat the planet. When we have an active and healthy mindset, our entire worldview changes.

Kinesiology is the study of movement and it helps us to understand how things in and outside our body relate. By studying the movement of body and non-body parts, we can see the beauty of action and be readier to handle the immense hurdles that face us today. It gives a sense of relativity, of interaction and the importance of having a working relation of parts.

Exercise physiology is especially helpful when facing these challenges. It teaches the basics of what it means to be fit and healthy, which is a great first step to combating obesity. Likewise, it can when put into practice help to form self-reliant individuals with the confidence they need to face other challenges in life, such as the economy or the environment.

Lifespan motor development is also important because it provides individuals with the skills to practice coordination and match their will with productivity and accomplishment. The more a person sees that he is capable of doing what he aims to do, the more likely that person will succeed in all walks of life.

In terms of issues and research, all three of these challenges can be met thanks to taking the time to read about them, invest oneself, and do the work that will reap dividends. Solutions do not come easy and one must address the issues by researching them again and again.

Likewise, test and measurements is a necessary method of attaining knowledge both of oneself and the world around one. This kind of method is essential because it puts the person on the line and measures his ability to perform, to implement his skill set and knowledge in a real-life situation. This is the kind of performance that will be key in helping individuals to overcome obstacles such as the ones described above.