The message has come fast and furious -- childhood obesity is a national epidemic. Physical education advocates say more and more students are being allowed to opt out of gym class in favor of activities like marching band, ROTC, even an extra art class.
Students in some school districts are even allowed to complete their physical education requirements online ; They promise to exercise on their own time and just click their way through to course completion.
NASPE, along with the American Heart Association, recommend that students get 30 minutes per day of physical education instruction for elementary school children and 45 minutes per day for middle and high school children.
But only one state -- Alabama -- follows the guidelines at each school level, the NASPE reported.
Follow the link to read more and watch the video from abc news: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/students-opting-phys-ed-classes-obesity-epidemic/story?id=12393340&page=1
California Physical Education-Health Project