Columbia lawmaker wants more active students

According to a Columbia Tribune article:

A Columbia lawmaker wants students to get more exercise during the school day, citing growing neurological evidence that shows a link between physical activity and academic achievement.

Democratic Rep. Judy Baker is sponsoring two bills that would increase the hours of physical education required in school. The first bill would require elementary students to have at least 150 minutes of movement a week, and the second proposal would require secondary students to log 250 minutes of physical activity every week.

The bills also require schools to provide ways for students to assess their health, including monitoring body mass index, resting heart rate and target heart rates.

"The state of Missouri is too high in teen obesity rates for us to not be doing something about it," Baker said. "It’s about increasing physical fitness and encouraging lifelong habits."

If you support Baker's effort you could send her a quick email of support: judy.baker@house.mo.gov