Posted: November 27th, 2007

The Los Angeles County Health Department recently reported childhood obesity levels up to 37%. Obese children run a greater risk of developing diabetes that can cause blindness, limb amputations, and premature death. Physically fit students do better academically and in life.

Yet the Los Angeles Unified School District does not enforce state laws requiring just 20 minutes of physical education per day in elementary school and 40 minutes per day in middle and high school.

United Teachers of Los Angeles is launching a physical education campaign to organize teachers, parents, students, and concerned citizens to help students move more, eat well, stay healthy, and do their best in school. The press conference is Wednesday November 28 8:30 am at the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex on Third Street and Bixel in Pico Union. Campaign goals include:

1. A 55:1 cap for P.E. class size, to put P.E. on a more even footing with academic classes

2. Enforcement of state law (education code) for P.E.: 20 minutes a day for elementary students & 40 minutes a day for secondary students

3. A certificated physical education instructor at each elementary school.

Read the Press Release.

Concerned teachers, civic leaders, and health experts recently wrote to the LAUSD superintendent and board president urging the board to improve student health and academics through physical activity and healthy eating. Read the letter here.

Visit the maps showing access to parks and school fields compared to childhood obesity levels.

Physical Education Teacher Cathy Figel and The City Project’s Robert Garcia discuss the UTLA campaign in United Teacher.