On November 2, 2005, LSU College of Education hosted 65 physical education teachers from elementary, middle, and high schools from more than 20 parishes across the state of Louisiana for the day-long event. Kathy Hill, a 31-year veteran of the LSU Kinesiology Department, led the workshop which was funded by a $45,000 grant from the Louisiana Department of Education.

Workshop activities included grant writing instruction, the use of pedometers and training on the Fitnessgram software. The Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas, developed Fitnessgram in 1982 to help teachers and parents stay abreast of their children's fitness levels. Fitnessgram is also an easy way for physical education teachers to assess and report the physical fitness of the students in their class. This information will be sent to the Department of Education for analysis and future use to combat childhood obesity.

Many parishes in Louisiana do not have the capacity to fund physical education teachers. Classroom teachers are required to teach physical education along with all of their other subjects—and, they receive little or no training or assistance teaching it.

"Physical Fitness was left out of the educational reform movement," said Hill stressing the critical relationship between a fit body and a fit mind, "Many children are left sitting on their behinds instead of being able to be physically active during physical education and recess periods."

With a reliance on standardized testing as a measurement for success, some schools are forced to abandon the fitness component of education. Yet, health experts maintain that it is essential to participate in physical activity most every day as part of maintaining life-long health.

"Children that are physically active become adolescents and adults that are physically active. It is also an economic issue. People who are physically active visit the doctor less and end up costing the state and federal government less in Medicare and Medicaid," said Hill.

Obesity and its related diseases and health problems will cost society in the future; many experts argue that the children of today may be the first generation that does not outlive their parents stated Hill.

"Working with schools in Louisiana to improve lifelong learning is part of the College's mission," added Dean Jayne Fleener of the LSU College of Education. "Wellness, life-long learning, and community engagement are integral to improving our state, and I am proud of Professor Hill’s involvement and leadership, providing these important opportunities for teachers."

The grant supplied each participant with the Fitnessgram program and a pedometer—over $315 worth of fitness supplies—to bring back to their schools and parishes. Each participant received hands-on training in the software. The workshop also will begin to collect valuable data on the fitness levels of Louisiana children throughout the state, which may open avenues for further research and improvement in the health of youth in the United States.