Historically, those who were fat and overweight meant they were likely to survive undernourishment and infections. But now there are many health risks associated with being overweight, some of which are: cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, asthma and heart disease (Ebbeling, Pawlak, Ludwig 2002). Because of these health concerns, the government is promoting programs in schools to reduce the obesity rate in the United States. Healthy People 2020 and SPARK (Sports, play, and Active Recreation for Kids) create programs for teachers and families to educate and convince people to get up, go play outside, and get active. SPARK also works with the CDC to integrate school health programs that teach students and teachers how to eat and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The CDC states that "health education provides students with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, attitude, and skills necessary to make health-promoting decisions, acquire health literacy, adopt health-enhancing behaviors and promote the health of others (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention 2013). Health education addresses topics such as alcohol and drug use, healthy eating and nutrition, mental and emotional health, personal health and well-being, physical activity, safety and injury prevention, sexual health, tobacco use, and violence prevention (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention 2013). .Not only does SPARK integrate health programs, but it also provides many benefits to school programs that create fun physical movement activities during the day. They offer programs such as physical education classes, classroom activities and recess, after-school programs, early childhood development to teachers, and recreation...... middle of paper ..... .n children for 24 years. The SPARK team will continue to look for new ideas and activities that will appeal to children and teachers so that they are always motivated to play games with friends and get fit at the same time. SPARK strives to create a common goal which is to promote and teach children how to live a healthy lifestyle. ResourcesEbbeling, CB, Pawlak, DB and Ludwig, DS (2002). Childhood obesity: public health crisis, common sense remedy. The Lancet, 360 (9331), 473-482. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Components of coordinated school health. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/cshp/components.htmSPARK Physical Education Program. (nd). K-12 physical education programs and elementary school physical education curriculum. Accessed February 10, 2014 from http://www.sparkpe.org/physical-education/