Posted 7/23/2008

Legislation would encourage schools to work toward
national physical activity goals

Dr. Russell R. Pate

Dr. Russ Pate, USC associate vice president for health services, will testify Thursday on Capitol Hill in support of legislation that would encourage schools to put more emphasis on quality physical education and physical activity for all public school children.

Pate will be one of seven witnesses to appear before the House Education and Labor Committee, which is studying the Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act (FIT Kids).

The legislation encourages schools to work towards a 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.

Pate, a veteran professor the Arnold School's Department of Exercise Science, will testify on behalf of the American Heart Association (AHA), which has endorsed the FIT Kids Act.

In 2006, Pate chaired an AHA writing group that prepared a scientific statement calling for schools to lead the way to ensure that all children and youth participate in adequate physical activity during the school day.

"Promoting Physical Activity in Children and Youth: A Leadership Role for Schools," was the title of the statement.

Pate said this week that much of his testimony to the committee would be a based on the statement, "which points to the significant role that schools can offer in providing kids with physical activity."

Pate said the FIT Kids legislation would help combat the epidemic of childhood obesity, which the AHA has estimated will affect some 20 percent of children in the United States by 2010.

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.

In addition, it would fund research and a pilot program to study effective ways to improve healthy living and physical activity for all children.

"The Benefits of Physical and Health Education for Our Nation's Children," is the title of the hearing which is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. in room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

Besides Pate, who is testifying before Congress for the first time, other witnesses include:

• Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis.;
• Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn.;
• Richard Simmons fitness expert and TV personality;
• Tim Brown, former Oakland Raider wide receiver;
• Lori Rose Benson. director of the Office of Fitness and Health Education, New York City Department of Education;
• Robert M. Keiser, student advisor to Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's Council on Physical Fitness.