Take next step and mandate physical activity

THE RECENT Massachusetts mandates for healthful food choices in our schools (“State bans unhealthy food sales in schools,’’ Metro, July 14) took a giant step forward against childhood obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.

Now we must follow the lead of the United Kingdom. This month top medical officers there set the first UK-wide guidelines, which call for at least three hours of daily physical activity for children under 5 years of age and at least one hour for those ages 5 to 18.