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I applaud efforts to improve physical fitness among school children.

If the school district really wants to see results, they'll pair this effort with dietary change, which is a more powerful means of reducing obesity. You can't out exercise the end of the fork.

Involving parents and community leaders in an effort to rid school lunch rooms of less nutritious, high calorie foods is a great start. Encourage fruit consumption (every classroom should have a large fruit bowl from which students can snack) and the cafeteria should put fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains front and center.

Increasing overweight and obesity among all age groups has been identified as a major contributor to chronic disease. It's time to nip it in the bud by taking personal and community-wide responsibility for creating opportunities to make the best choices.