What are the primary goals of health education in schools?

The primary goals of health education in schools focus on promoting healthy lifestyles and disease prevention. This approach encompasses a broad range of topics, including nutrition, physical activity, mental health, substance abuse prevention, and sexual education, all designed to empower students to make informed health choices.

By instilling knowledge about healthy behaviors and the importance of wellness, health education aims to reduce the prevalence of health-related issues such as obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders among young people. This proactive stance equips students with the skills they need to navigate their health throughout their lives and fosters a culture of wellness within the school community.

The other options do not encapsulate the main objectives of health education. Solely teaching academic subjects neglects the crucial life skills that health education provides. Focusing strictly on competitive sports overlooks the broader context of overall health and well-being, which includes mental and emotional aspects as well. Increasing standardized testing scores, while important academically, does not address the core goals of health education, which center on equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary for healthy living.