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BOX S-1
Statement of Task
An ad hoc committee of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) will review the 
current status of physical activity and physical education in the school 
envi ronment. The committee will also review influences of physical activity 
and physical education on the short- and long-term physical, cognitive and 
brain, and psychosocial health and development of children and adoles-
cents. The committee will then, as appropriate, make recommendations 
regarding approaches for strengthening and improving programs and poli-
cies for physical activity and physical education in the school environment, 
including before, during, and after school.
In carrying out its task, the committee will
•
Review the current status of physical activity and physical education 
in the school environment.
•
Review evidence on the relationship between physical activity, physi-
cal education, or physical fitness and physical, cognitive and brain, 
and psychosocial health and development.
•
Within a life-stage framework, consider the role of physical activ-
ity and physical education-related programs and policies offered 
in the school environment in contributing to short- and long-term 
health, health behaviors, and development (e.g., motor and cognitive 
development).
•
Recommend, as appropriate, strategic programmatic, environmental, 
and policy approaches for providing, strengthening, and improving 
physical activity and physical education opportunities and programs 
in the school environment, including before, during, and after school.
•
As evidence is reviewed, identify major gaps in knowledge and rec-
ommend key topic areas in need of research.

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Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
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