Partnership for Fit Kentucky

This post is related to House Bill 11 and Senate Bill 6

Kentucky children are ranked third in the country for being overweight or for being at-risk for overweight lifestyles (http://www.fitky.org/). The 2009 study “Partnership for a Fit Kentucky” reports that weight-related illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease, are on the rise and contribute to a health care cost in Kentucky of over $1 billion dollars. Academic performance by children should not be affected by an increase in PE programs at schools. Studies have shown that increased physical activity by a child does not negatively affect a student’s academic performance (http://www.ijbnpa.org/).

Sponsored by the Council of State Governments SCORE / Southern Collaborative to Reduce Obesity Efforts, the mission of Partnership for a Fit Kentucky is to “support policy and environmental changes that promote healthy eating and active lifestyles. The focus is on building healthy nutrition and physical environments in six venues: Early Childhood, Schools, Family and Communities, Worksites, Built Environment and Healthcare” (p. 32).

House Bill 11 proposes physical activity at school for children in grades K-5 be more regulated, with increased duration and frequency. Senate Bill 6 proposes an increase in physical activity at schools with preschool through eighth grade programs.