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Advocacy News American Heart Association Endorses the FIT Kids Act Federal legislation would integrate regular physical education into the No Child Left Behind Act
The American Heart Association today endorsed federal legislation that addresses the nation’s childhood obesity epidemic by putting more emphasis on quality physical education (PE) and physical activity for all public school children. The Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act (FIT Kids Act) would better integrate PE into the No Child Left Behind Act by encouraging schools to work towards the national goal of 150 minutes of PE per week for elementary school students and 225 minutes per week for students in middle and high schools. It would also require that all schools, districts and states include the quantity and quality of PE in the “report cards” currently sent to parents. The FIT Kids Act was introduced in the House by Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI), Zach Wamp (R-TN) and Jay Inslee (D-WA). “The short and long-term benefits of physical education are overwhelming yet we’ve seen a major decline over the last two decades in regular PE in our nation’s schools,” said Daniel W. Jones, M.D., president of the American Heart Association. “Daily, quality PE can not only help stem the tide of childhood obesity but it can also improve our children’s lifelong health, well-being and academic success. Our lawmakers can give our children a head start on a healthy life by supporting the FIT Kids Act and making it clear that physical education is needed in No Child Left Behind.” In 2004, more than 9 million children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 were considered overweight. By 2010, it is estimated that 20 percent of children in the The FIT Kids Act would also amend existing federal programs to get all 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
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