Reston, VA, August 24, 2007 - The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and the American Heart Association recently endorsed the Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act (FIT Kids Act), federal legislation which addresses the nation's childhood obesity epidemic by putting more emphasis on quality physical education and physical activity for all public school children.
The FIT Kids Act, which was introduced on July 31 in the House by Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI), Zach Wamp (R-TN) and Jay Inslee (D-WA), would better integrate physical education into the No Child Left Behind Act by encouraging schools to work towards NASPE's national recommendations of 150 minutes of physical education per week for elementary school students and 225 minutes per week for students in middle and high schools. It would also require that schools, districts, and states include the quantity and quality of physical education in the "report cards" currently sent to parents.
"We believe that the FIT Kids Act can make a real and meaningful difference in the fight against childhood obesity without overburdening schools, districts and states," said NASPE President Craig Buschner, Ed.D., professor at California State University, Chico. "Through its multi-faceted approach that includes accountability, reporting requirements, professional development, research and support of children and teachers, there is an unprecedented opportunity to start to bring this epidemic under control."
In 2004, more than nine million children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 were considered overweight. By 2010, it is estimated that 20 percent of children in the United States will be obese. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education, a decline in physical activity has contributed to the unprecedented epidemic of childhood obesity. Currently 92 percent of elementary schools don't provide daily physical education classes that meet national goals year-round and barely a quarter of high school students take daily physical education classes.
The FIT Kids Act would also amend existing federal programs to get parents, educators, counselors and administrators involved in teaching children healthy lifestyles. The bill also supports professional development for teachers and principals to promote children's healthy lifestyles and physical activity and would fund research and a pilot program to study effective ways to improve healthy living and physical activity for all children.
"What better place than our schools to teach kids how to best nourish their body as well as their mind," said Congressman Kind, a member of the Congressional Fitness Caucus. "Ensuring that our schools are providing comprehensive physical education will give every child an opportunity - regardless of their background - to learn healthy habits, and get moving. We will see the benefits in their math and reading test scores, get to the root of the obesity epidemic, and get kids on a healthy path early in life."
"The statistics on childhood obesity are staggering, and we need to get them going in the other direction. Research shows that healthy children learn more effectively and achieve more academically. The FIT Kids Act would ensure a strong emphasis on physical education to help bolster academic performance and provide students with the physical activity and education to lead healthy lifestyles," said Congressman Wamp, founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Fitness Caucus.
"Not all children have role modeling at home, but this bill can make sure they have it at school. Giving kids the physical and mental benefits of exercise will help them excel in the classroom and throughout life," said Congressman Inslee.
Obesity is a major risk factor linked to increased cardiovascular disease (the No. 1 killer of Americans), cancer, diabetes, and early death. Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight adults. Of all U.S. deaths from major chronic disease, 23 percent are linked to sedentary lifestyles that began in childhood.
For more information on the bill and how to support it, visit www.naspeinfo.org, under Media & Advocacy and then NASPE Government Relations.
The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE's 16,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, athletic directors, athletic trainers, sport management professionals, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare physical activity professionals. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs through research, development of standards, and dissemination of information. It is the largest of the five national associations that make the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD). For more information, visit www.naspeinfo.org.