St. Petersburg, Florida - A morning spent outside skateboarding is a morning spent exercising.
That's why some parents are upset to hear a bill skating through the Florida House may put the brakes on physical education class in middle school.
"I think it's kind of crazy. Kids don't get enough activity as it is. Kids like to play video games," says parent Dennis Haggarty.
"You can't have all academics and no physical activity. You have to give children some kind of physical outlet, can't be sitting and learning all day," says mother Renee Strebel.
Sixth, seventh and eighth graders now receive one semester of gym class for 225 minutes a week. The bill would end that.
Supporters of the bill say it would give students more choice over which courses to take instead of gym class and give schools more local control.
"The CDC is recommending 60 minutes of physical activity, six days a week. We need the schools," says pediatrician Dr. Shayne Gadea. "One study says 25% of our kids are watching more than four hours of TV a day."
Dr. Gadea says the lack of activity is creating health problems in kids. She says she's seeing adult-like diseases in teens. "We see teens now with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol."
Physical activity does more than keep one at the proper weight. Dr. Gadea says there are psychological benefits, behavioral benefits to getting out getting active. Some parents, says Dr. Gadea, are not being good role models either.
"As adults, we have work stress, time constraints which lead us to poor eating habits, not enough time to exercise. We are not setting those great examples."
Even though the law now requires physical education in middle school, parents can sign waivers and many do. Statewide, only two thirds of middle school students are enrolled in gym class.
The bill's sponsor is Rep. Larry Metz, R-Eustis. To let him know how you feel about the bill you can click here to visit his website.
Isabel Mascarenas