Students Opinions and Attitudes towards Physical Education Classes in Kuwait Public Schools

Overview & Synopsis

The aim of study was to investigate student opinion and attitude toward physical education classes. Two thousand seven hundred (2700) students answered the survey: 1239 (45.3%) were male students and 1497 (54.7%) were female from Kuwait six districts: Al_Hawalli, Al_Asimah, Al_Jahra, Al_Mobarak, Al_Farwniah, Al_Ahmadi. Weight Status was determined from self reported height in meters and weight in kilometers and was calculated to determine the Body Mass Index. It was found that (24.7%) of both male and female were overweight and (12.4%) were obese. More than half of students (55.6%) agree that health education classes should be taught through physical education classes. Students believe of the importance of physical education classes (75.2%) and agree that physical education classes grades should be added to the overall grades (48.9%). They indicated that physical education classes are fun (72.8%), make them feel happy (67.7%), and satisfied (60.5%). They acknowledged that physical education classes keep them fit (64.3%) and healthy (68.3%). Through physical education they indicate that they acquire more friends (67.3%). In order to change the student's perception toward physical education classes, appropriate national curriculum must be implemented by ministry of education. Physical education curriculum should be ensuring students are receiving the minimal level of physical education through their school year. Health education can be related to physical education classes and should be taught through physical education classes to increase the understanding of their quality and healthy lifestyle. (Contains 6 tables.)