Which of the following best reflects a goal of physical education in promoting healthy living?

Adopting long-term fitness habits is a crucial goal of physical education because it emphasizes sustainable lifestyle choices that contribute to overall health and well-being. By instilling these habits, physical education programs aim to empower individuals to take responsibility for their health throughout their lives, which can lead to improved physical fitness, mental well-being, and a lower risk of chronic diseases. This outcome aligns with the broader objective of physical education, which is not just to promote immediate physical activity but to foster a lifelong commitment to health and fitness.

In contrast, encouraging complacency in fitness runs counter to the aim of promoting active lifestyles. Building competitive teams may enhance skills and foster teamwork but does not necessarily lead to long-term fitness habits for all participants. Similarly, while fostering individual sports can be beneficial for personal development and skill acquisition, it may not promote the comprehensive health habits that physical education seeks to instill in all students. Overall, cultivating long-term fitness habits is central to the mission of physical education in creating healthier populations.