Public health issue brief: physical education: year end report-2004.

In the past 30 years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has increased alarmingly. Because overweight and obesity increase the risk for chronic illnesses and associated health care cost, reducing and preventing obesity has become a top health priority among lawmakers. During the past three years, the media, the food and beverage industry, public health advocates and both federal and state policymakers have devoted significant attention to this escalating health problem and its associated risk factors. This issue brief outlines the role of state physical education policy to address childhood obesity. This report will provide information on the issues surrounding childhood obesity and physical education, physical education guidelines, related legislative history, 2004 physical education legislative actions and state physical education statutes.