Representatives seek to enhance physical education in schools

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

JUNEAU - Reps. Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage, and Les Gara, D-Anchorage, introduced legislation last week to create a legislative task force that would address how to best increase physical activity in Alaska's schools.

House Bill 128 brings together school officials, legislators and physicians to address the growing problem of obesity and diabetes among children.

According to the American Obesity Association, more than 30 percent of U.S. children and adolescents are overweight or obese - a fact that is both reversible and preventable.

The medical profession has argued that healthy students simply perform much better academically and socially.

"Overweight children become overweight adults, plagued by a terrible litany of diseases," said Dr. Peter Mjos, an Anchorage doctor.

The task force would determine the best approach for establishing maximum physical activity for Alaska students. Alaska does not currently impose any statewide standards for physical activity in schools.

The task force will be charged with coming up with recommendations for effectively and economically maximizing physical activity within the existing infrastructure of Alaska's schools. The task force will also come up with recommendations for new laws or regulations to allow schools to provide needed physical activity in the long term.

"Too many children suffer because of diabetes and obesity, and we'd like to change that," Rep. McGuire said.

Gara shared the same concern, stating in a press release, "We can help children learn and feel better by improving physical education in this state."