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H.R. 3257, The FIT Kids Act
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Visitor Comments
beth hvambsal-rosema
Hello! It's about time!! I am a K-12 grade PE teacher in michigan, a state that I believe was ranked the 2nd most out of shape state. I see it every day, I have been battling our district for years for more PE for our kids. Some kindergarten classes get only 17 classes of PE for the entire year!!! The most obvious solution for our health care crisis starts with our kids. With our districts struggling financially, the only way we will make it important enough is to pass legislation that will require more PE time. If we don't begin helping kids learn early how to take care of themselves physically and emotionally, we will surely pay for it in the future.
Francia PA.
This is very Important for Kids ! Have to get them moving and playing like we all did. I can't remeber any FAT kids when I was young.Bring Dodge Ball back and Relay races. GET THEM MOVING and they will Learn better too!
Pass this bill.
Laura Rodichok
If this bill doesn't pass, then we have done a great disservice to our kids that are suffering from early onset heart disease, Type II diabetes, hypertensions and low self esteem. Although more PE is not going to cure all of this, it is the most logical start. It's not the kids fault that many adults have neglected them by cutting PE etc... We've got to start early in instilling healthy lifestyles and physical activity to their daily routines. Lets educate the whole child, mind and body. For some reason, we've been focusing on the mind only and we all know, a healthy body means a healthy mind. I just hope the people in Washington will realize the importance of this as well.
Kelly Bliss M.Ed., A.C.E.
Yes, please let's put PE back in schools. But let's make it INDEPENDENT OF WEIGHT. If we link fitness to the "war on obesity", then we alienate every plus size kid, ignore every lean kid, increase the bullying in the schools, and increase eating disorders. (When interviewing those suffering from eating disorders, it is found that a great majority of them began their disordered eating after being bullied by a gym teacher ... yes, teacher, not student.)
Under Sec. 3. Findings., there are five references to obesity. The bill clearly links PE classes to reducing children's body size.
I encourage people to write their congressman/woman and ask that the bill be changed. Ask that HEALTH BEHAVIORS, NOT BODY SIZE, be the reason for adding PE back to our schools.
Yes, let’s put PE back in school, but NOT because of body size. Let’s do it for the health of all kids of every size.
Miriam Berg
Kids need more PE, but why does it always have to be because of their weight? Kids of all sizes can improve their health whether or not they lose weight. Tying health programs to weight can result in eating disorders and cruel teasing. Besides, thin kids who don't exercise are at the same risk for future health problems. Let's take the word obesity out of the proposal and make it about health and fitness.
Judy LoBianco
I agree strongly with this bill and agree that it's about increased physical activity and the importance of teaching students healthy lifestyle habits throughout their education. We are battling so many influences that keep them from exercising...things that didn't exist when we were young...this bill needs to move forward.
Maria Melchionda
Fit students achieve. It's as simple as that. The President of the United States exercises each day. I wish our students across the country had the same opportunity. We are in the age of a "test" society. We are so focused on testing that we have forgotten the education of the whole child. When this bill is passed, it will assist the educational atmosphere in a most effective and positive manner. Quality daily physical education will decrease stress levels in students; parents will not gage their child's success on a mere test and teachers will finally be able to get back to the basics. Hence, we'll have vibrant, active healthy students who enjoy life to its fullest. Isn't that the real focus?
Sharon Kay
Thank you Kelly Bliss! I too am concerned this legislation will require physical education programs and schools to be completely responsible for the body size of children. Weighing students in schools, as a measurement of their fitness level is a crime to their physicality and self esteem. Physical Educators are to teach and introduce students to a wide variety of activities that enhances their enjoyment to become physically active for a lifetime. If we mandate fitness testing and hold physical education programs accountable for the obesity epidemic in the United States, we will turn students "off " on becoming physically active for life. Furthermore, If we really want 150 minutes a week for our students the result could be 100 + students. This will result in quanity NOT quality! We must have more P.E. teachers along with MORE physical education!
Thank you!
Christine B.
Sharon, I understand your concern with self esteem and weighing children in schools, however this bill does not say anywhere that teachers will be weighing students. Who said that physical education programs will be held accountable for the obesity epidemic? The fact that we do not have enough physical activity in our schools is one contribution to the obesity problem, not the only problem. I am a type 1 diabetic and speaking from personal experience, anything that will help these children is a blessing, because dealing with diabetes, is a daily struggle that for most could be prevented. Low self esteem is caused by being overweight, or dealing with diseases that separate a person from their peers, and diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure,and stroke are all things that contribute to low self esteem. By not supporting this bill you are supporting a society of unhealthy and depressed children that will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.
Robin Scholla
My question is this...How could we not want our kids to have more physical education? They need it more than ever now! How can school districts justify making cuts to elementary P.E.?
Susan D'Amico
I am a physical education teacher with 29 years of experience who has just been handed a termination notice due to severe budget cuts within the school system. The arts have been eliminated. The damage to our children's health and their future health care costs will far outweigh the present tax dollars saved. Legislation is the only way - this bill needs to move forward.
J. Knox R.N.
This is an important bill because it sets national standards for physical education which also includes nutrition. There is a small portion of the bill that addresses nutrition, but I believe that it should be stronger. I also know that 150 minutes per week is only 37.5 minutes per day for 4 days. The CDC recommends an hour a day for most days of physical activity for this age group, and nutrition needs to have some portion of this time.
Good start