We all know the dilemma: Kids are tuning in to TVs and video games and tuning out physical activity. As a result, kids are more overweight than ever. More than half of the adult population in the United States are overweight, and almost a third are clinically obese.

An obvious answer is to become and stay fit through regular physical activity. The authors of Fit & Active: The West Point Physical Development Program know this, and in response they developed a program at West Point--the academy that's been educating U.S. military and political leaders for over 200 years. Now you can use the West Point fitness program to meet the needs of your students.

Fit & Active: The West Point Physical Development Program is a practical, ready-to-use resource that will help you inspire the kids under your charge to be more physically active. It includes the following features:
-The system that has worked for the authors in their West Point program, along with detailed strategies for modifying their approach for various ages and environments
-Activities and ideas that have been reviewed by high school physical education teachers to ensure the suggestions are appropriate for high school students
-New ideas and information that will help you improve your program
-Assessment strategies to help you meet state and national physical education standards

At West Point, fitness is seen as a solid foundation for emotional and intellectual well-being and as a way to help prepare students for a lifetime of health, physical activity, and success--in the classroom and beyond.

With that in mind, the authors focus on how to develop and assess your program in part I, and in part II they provide core activity courses (including basic movement, swimming, boxing, self-defense, and obstacle courses) that develop motor skills. In part III they delve into wellness and personal fitness strategies, workout designs, assessments, and related issues, and in part IV they outline courses for lifetime activities such as tennis, golf, ice skating, and rock climbing.

As a result, you get a comprehensive resource that is easy to use, well illustrated, adapted for high school, and appropriate for a variety of groups--and one that will also help you meet state and national standards. Along the way your students will learn leadership skills through sports and become motivated to make physical activity and fitness an integral part of their lives long after they leave school.