FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AP) -
Elementary students in the Flagstaff school district will have more time this year for structured physical fitness.
Flagstaff Medical Center is spending $1 million in an effort to decrease the number of students who are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. Officials have found that nearly one-third of the elementary school students fall into that category.
The funding will increase the time about 5,000 students can participate in organized exercise, from 35 minutes a week to 53 minutes a day.
A staff member in each of the 10 elementary schools will oversee the activities and offer nutrition tips before school and during recess.
Three other teachers will get a stipend for introducing short Internet-based exercise programs during class when they find students are running low on energy.
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