BUFFALO, N.Y. -- As the rate of overweight and obese children increase throughout the country, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is pushing to get more kids in shape.
On Tuesday Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Brian Higgins outlined her initiative, the Fitness Integrated into Teaching Kids Act, or, FIT Kids Act.
This new legislation would provide grant funding to school districts and community organizations to improve physical education programming. It would also allow for increased opportunities for physical activity for students in kindergarten through their senior years of high school.
In the United State one-third of kids are overweight or obese. In Western New York 34.4 percent of kids are obese or overweight.
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends kids get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. One of the goals of FIT Kids Act is to help children reach that 60 minute mark everyday.
FIT Kids Act would allow school districts and community organizations to invest in a quality PE program that provides regular physical activity and helps kids develop a healthier and active lifestyle.
