Help Kids Get Fit: Earn Your Physical and Health Education Degree Online

In July 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives conducted a hearing on the benefits of health and physical education for children. The House found that physical education classes were severely lacking or underdeveloped in many schools across the nation. They also found a direct link between being out of shape and health problems, mood swings, and poor academic performance.
The Atkins revolution and the success of the Ab Roller indicate a more health-conscious adult population in America. Good news, considering the elevated concern for the health of today's youth since Nintendo invaded homes in the mid-80s. If you'd like to help our children learn the benefits of exercise and the payoff of eating peas instead of an extra large slice of pepperoni pizza, consider a career in physical or health education.

Coursework in Physical and Health Education

Physical and health education encompasses a wide variety of subjects ranging from physical fitness to eating habits. Typical coursework includes:

• Athletic Training
• Nutrition
• Exercise Science
• Community Health
• Principles of Coaching and Leadership
• Physiology
• Psychology
• Principles of Health Education
• Program Organization and Administration

Job Outlook for PE and Health Teachers

Due to the rising cost of healthcare, health educators play a major role not only in public and private schools, but also by teaching adults about preventative care options such as yoga or a low-carb diet. Although career prospects for physical and health educators can vary by region and/or education level, this specialization has led the BLS to predict job growth of 26 percent in these areas through 2016. And if a "healthy" paycheck is on your mind, the median salary for health educators was $42,920 in 2007. The median salary for physical education teachers was $35,442 that same year.
Sources:
Committee on Education and Labor - US House of Representatives, Full Committee Hearing: "The Benefits of Physical and Health Education for Our Nation's Children"
National Association for Sport and Physical Education, Physical Activity and Fitness Recommendations for Physical Activity Professionals
Payscale.com
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Health Educators
BLS Occupational Employment and Wages 2007

Frank Ling is Editor of Gamernode.com. He has also worked as a photographer and video editor at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as a reporter and photographer for local community newspapers, as a quality assurance trainer for Electronic Arts, and has written for various websites.