With outside time at a premium for kids these days, Washington, D.C.-based non-profit PHIT America wants to make sure they still remain active even while they can’t interact with each other in person.
As part of its 50 Million Healthy Kids campaign, PHIT has created an online petition, accessible here, which parents can sign to help make educators and government officials aware that physical activity programs in schools are more critical than ever.
“Very few Americans we talk to are aware that almost 50% of schools have eliminated physical education programs. And, many don’t have recess. In fact, they are shocked to hear this,” said PHIT America Founder, Jim Baugh. “Nearly every American will see the value of physical activity programs in schools and sign this petition. We need to do everything we can to battle the inactivity issue that we face in this country.”
The associated PHIT America goal alongside the petition is for kids to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity, at least three days a week. Sports Marketing Surveys has found that more than nine in 10 U.S. children are not active to CDC physical activity standards, ranking them 47th among 50 rated countries worldwide.
“When the long-term plan is rolled out, we are looking to pursue legislation, which will mandate Every Kid Getting At Least 30 Minutes of Physical Activity At Least 3 Times a Week In School,” added Baugh.
