American children are seeing the figures on their scales climb at alarming rates, and their academic performance is being weighed down as well. The
United States now ranks among the highest globally for childhood obesity, with a third of kids carrying excess pounds. Disturbingly, this obesity crisis has paralleled a decades-long plunge in reading and math scores across the nation. Are the two related? The answer appears to be yes. Kinesthetic Learning Standing Desks in Schools The study involved 374 elementary students from College Station,
Texas, divided into a control group using traditional desks and a standing-desk group. Both groups wore biometric monitors tracking measurements like heart rate, movement intensity, and caloric burn. Unsurprisingly, the standing desk students burned more calories. More importantly, they exhibited higher engagement levels during activity-based learning than their seated counterparts. Overweight and obese children demonstrated even greater improvements in attention than their normal-weight peers. Engaging in physical activities promotes an “active learning” environment, which is far more engaging than passive, traditional learning styles. Additionally, exercise can stimulate brain regions involved in mathematical thinking. The math–basketball group, whose tasks involved counting successful baskets from various distances and calculating the total, showed an over 6 percent improvement in math skills, a 16 percent increase in intrinsic motivation, and an over 14 percent enhancement in perceived autonomy compared to their peers, who only learned math in the classroom. This reflects the “embodied cognition” concept: The brain influences the body, but the body also affects the brain. A more holistic, physically active approach could help children become happier, healthier, and more successful learners.