State Lawmakers Try to Tackle Childhood Obesity Problem

By Emily Wood, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate has passed a bill aimed at reducing the state's growing childhood obesity rate.

Senate Bill 1876 would outline what types of activities students should be doing during their required 60 minutes of physical education a week. The bill would require students to participate in more physical activities for at least half of their time in P.E.

"It's not requiring any additional minutes of P.E. and should not come at any cost to the district," said Sent. Harry Coates, the bill's author.

Instructor Jason Hasty said he'd like to see lawmakers do more.

"Give us more money," he said. "Give us more resources and allow us to give the kids more."

Sen. Coates said he is considering additional legislation to get children active.

"We're going to have to have more P.E. in schools eventually," he said. "Something 's going to have to happen, or our kids are in danger."