Across the United States communities are facing an increasing number of health issues among children, including childhood obesity, diabetes, and physical inactivity. At the same time we are placing more and more emphasis on improving performance in the classroom. Is there a way to enhance both the physical health and academic potential of our kids? The answer is, ABSOLUTELY!

Today we have two guests on the show to discuss these issues. Phil Lawler, a leader in physical education, joins us from Naperville, Ill., and joining us from Boston is Dr. John Ratey, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the author of a new book, SPARK: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, which will be released soon.

Reference notes:

SPARK The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, John J. Ratey, M.D.