Study finds American children not getting enough exercise

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The National Football League's Play 60 Fitnessgram Partnership Project released a study that found most American kids are not getting enough exercise.

The project, which is funded by the NFL Foundation and managed by the Cooper Institute, tracks health and fitness data for schools across the nation.

Iowa State researchers, who teamed up with the project, looked at 200,000 students ranging from first graders to high school seniors. They measured aerobic capacity, body mass index and upper body strength. Barely one in eight students achieved a healthy score.

Scientists have figured that physical fitness begins to slide downhill between fifth and eighth grade. Pediatricians say factors such as lack of funding for physical education classes, video games and not spending enough time outside being active are to blame.

Fitness experts say children love to be challenged, so getting them to embrace a fun physical activity should start at home.