Richard Simmons Obesity Crusade

Oct. 15, 2008 — -- Fitness guru Richard Simmons has been sweating to the oldies for two decades, and now the exercise enthusiast has made it his mission to help the nation's children get in shape and become healthier.

"Right now many schools have no recess. Most schools have no PE," Simmons said on "Good Morning America" today.

"A kid who moves is a kid who learns," Simmons said. "It's so strange, because most parents don't even know if the kids have PE or not. We have to get in this."

Simmons, who struggled with obesity early in his life, wants to slash the number of overweight children in America by promoting physical activity. He supports a bill, currently in Congress, that mandates some type of physical activity for students during the school day.

"It says every child will exercise every day in every school ... our kids are obese, they're out of shape," he said.

The popular workout instructor has encouraged people to join a letter-writing campaign to let the presidential candidates, as well as congressional leaders, know their concerns.

To learn more visit www.richardsimmons.com where you also can get information on the No. 1 fitness DVD in the country, "Sweatin' to the Oldies."