The P.E. advantage.

Do you know that 30 minutes of active physical activity during the school day can help control weight, build healthy bones, muscles and joints, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, enhance feelings of well-being and may even improve academic performance?

Yet only one in four U.S. children gets the recommended daily amount of physical activity: 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity such as brisk walking, or 20 minutes of vigorous activity. Daily participation in high school physical education classes dropped from 42 percent in 1991 to 28 percent in 2003.

Currently, 48 states call for some type of physical education in schools, but requirements vary and may not define how much RE. to offer. Illinois is the only state to require daily physical education for grades K-12, but it does allow for waivers. Kentucky and Texas are both looking at daily requirements.

Last year, 35 states considered a variety of bills requiring, encouraging or strengthening physical activity or physical education in school. Lawmakers are looking at additional money for physical education and considering ways to promote physical activity during the school day, such as recess.