National statistics have shown childhood obesity rates across the country are climbing. Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) says one way to combat that problem is to encourage healthy lifestyles in schools. He says a healthy body will help kids develop a healthy mind.
Kind wants a national goal for physical education included in the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. It would require 150 minutes of PE a week in elementary schools and 225 minutes in middle and high schools. He says incentives need to be provided for PE, in order to integrate it into school curriculum.
The Wisconsin Democrat says many states aren't requiring PE classes, even though early intervention is important to preventing obesity and diseases that can result from it, such as juvenile diabetes.
Kind says making kids healthier should help them perform better in school.