America's growing waist-line problem is raising hackles on Capitol Hill, where lobbyists from across the fitness industry, including professional athletes, have been pushing for the passage of fitness legislation — the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) Bill, which provides grants to school districts and community based organizations to support innovative physical education and activity methods; and the PHIT (Personal Health Investment Today) Bill, which will encourage improved health through increased physical activity for all Americans by making healthy, active lifestyles more affordable through the use of tax incentives.

Although the PEP program received great increases in funding from FY 2001 through FY 2004, climbing from $5 million in FY 2001 to $73 million in FY 2005, funding has leveled off the past four fiscal years, with $73 million for FY 2005 through FY 2007 and $75.7 million in FY 2008. As the funding for this critically important legislation has leveled off, the problem — and our children's belt size — keeps increasing.

It is estimated that only a quarter of school-age children receive daily physical education (PE), and Illinois is the only state that requires daily PE from kindergarten through 12th grade. To date, the U.S. Department of Education has awarded nearly $500 million in PEP grants to fund more than 900 quality PE programs across the country. But more money is needed. With increased funding for the PEP Bill for FY 2009, which is what many went to Congress recently to lobby for, we can start to get more children active on a daily basis.

The PHIT Bill (House Resolution 245) was reintroduced on Jan. 5, 2007, by Congressman Jerry Weller (R-Ill.), and was then referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. It currently has five co-sponsors. The PHIT Act would change current federal tax law to allow for the deduction or use of pre-tax dollars to cover expenses related to sports, fitness and other physical activities. Once an individual or family spends 7.5 percent of their income on qualified medical expenses, they can deduct physical activity expenses directly.

PHIT would also allow Americans to invest up to $1,000 annually in existing pre-tax medical accounts to pay for physical activities. The bill would only expand the eligible expenses for pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Medical Savings Accounts (MSA), and/or medical reimbursement arrangements.

It's a tough hill to climb but the passage of the PHIT Bill will contribute greatly to the slimming of America. And considering that we as a nation have made very little progress, if any, stemming the tide of overweight and obesity, is it safe to say we need a little encouragement and motivation?

We at GRF ask you, our readers, who are on the frontlines as Morale, Welfare and Recreation professionals, as well as fitness, child care and youth center directors, to support this important legislation, and the need for increased funding for the PEP Bill, for which funding has remained appallingly stagnant. And as you have already proven, creating new fitness and sports programs, organizing more events that get people of all ages and abilities more active, and expanding facilities to allow for youth and families to work out and get fit, does make a difference and is getting more people off the couch and on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

As professionals you realize, as have many who are trying to enact change through fitness legislation, the stakes couldn't be higher.