The prevalence of obesity in Canada has tripled in the last 30 years (Statistics Canada). Additionally, a recent University of Manitoba study led by Dr. Henry Janzen suggested that 90% of Canadian adolescents are physically inactive. Although Manitoba is the only province in Canada where physical education credits are required for graduation between grades 9 and 12, the program faces several complexities resulting from large class sizes, space limited and by the question of specialist versus generalist teachers. Therefore, physical education programs must be implemented and should be mandatory nationwide. Unquestionably, physical education programs are receiving more attention in recent years. They are key to increasing adolescent physical activity levels. Additionally, there are many benefits to physical education beyond just having fun, but it sharpens overall cognitive skills and motor skills through athletics. However, what these courses are really trying to promote is the inclusion of regular fitness activity into our daily routine. Meanwhile, regular fitness activities are daily “active living” activities, such as walking on the treadmill, cycling, and basic daily activities; this is what our parents and ancestors did for most of their lives. This type of activity is what our students are not engaged in; rather they are more likely to engage in sedentary activities such as playing video games and watching television (The University of Waterloo, 2009). This will, in the long term, increase the risk of virulent diseases such as diabetes, heart failure, hypertension and even cancer. Despite all these facts, physical education programs teach the student many personal and social tools, some of which are... middle of paper... prevention, they are unlikely to reverse obesity on their own. However, implementing policies within the school environment can be a first step towards a solution to this problem. Mortenson once said, “What we are trying to do may be just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop” (Three Cups of Tea). And before the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics become the last time we win gold medals, immediate action needs to be taken now. Therefore, we need to activate physical education programs in the country and make them mandatory nationwide. Canada, please act now before it is too late to do so. Works Cited http://keyathletes.com/http://www.nasgaweb.com/forums/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11398&PN=1http://www .lictalk.proboards.com/http://www. proboards.com/http://www.youknowwhenitsreal.com/http://www.shut.com/