Eighth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The attitudes that students have toward physical education can impact their participation levels in physical activity and their choices in health (Nelson, Benson, & Jensen, (2009). While the value of physical education has been clearly established through research (Bailey, et al, 2009), the public’s attitude toward physical education does not reflect this critical importance. Since public opinion is indirectly responsible for policy and decisions, it is important to consistently monitor public attitude toward physical education and the direct relationship to health choices. Few studies have been conducted assessing student attitudes toward physical education in the critical years of middle school (Stewart, Green & Huelskamp, 1991) and no research could be found correlating these attitudes to their parents attitudes toward health. Assessing parent attitudes toward physical education is important in determining whether students are projecting their own attitudes toward physical education or simply reflecting the views of their parents. The purpose of this study was to identify the attitudes of middle school students and their parents toward physical education and to examine the relationship between them as it affects student health choices.