States and local school districts could play a more active role in promoting physical fitness and curbing obesity among the nation's youth.

According to the report by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), only one state -- Illinois -- requires daily physical education for all students from kindergarten to grade 12. Another state, Alabama, requires daily physical education until the 8th grade.

And the majority of high school students take physical education for only one year between the 9th and 12th grades. Eighteen states require that high school students take one year of physical education and six states require that students take two years of gym class.

Twenty-seven states (58%) allow high school students to substitute other classes for physical education for medical or religious reasons, or because they participate in the band or other school activities.

Indeed, the growing prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has led to a rise in the number of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes over the past 20 years, according to health experts. Type 2 diabetes has traditionally been known as adult-onset diabetes because it was diagnosed predominately in middle-aged men and women.

Among adults, obesity is also linked to high blood pressure, elevated fats in the blood, gallbladder disease, some cancers, orthopedic complications and a number of other disorders.

The report calls on states to set standards for physical education that must be met before students can graduate. It also recommends that elementary school students receive at least 2.5 hours a week of physical activity at school, and middle and high school students complete nearly 4 hours of physical education each week.

Schools should offer a variety of activities such as dance, martial arts and in-line skating, and not just competitive team sports such as football and basketball.

"Programs should support all kids with a variety of abilities just like the classroom deals with a range of intellectual abilities," she said.

Parents, too, need to become more involved by making sure schools are offering physical education programs, and limiting computer and television time at home.

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Report October 10, 2001