Another Blow to Children's Fitness?

One of the major causes of American children's obesity and lack of fitness is that more and more restrictions are imposed on children's free play.  Parents restrict free play time by over-scheduling their children's activities, and schools do so by restricting what children may do during recess or cutting recess time or even eliminating it altogether.

Just yesterday, April 15, The Washington Post carried a story At McLean School, Playing Tag Turns Into Hot Potato on a McLean, VA, elementary school not allowing tag because tag had become "a game of intense aggression".  The school principal hoped to restore tag and touch football after review of school policies.   

This is ridiculous.  We as a society have to learn to let our children take some risks for their physical and mental well-being and their social development.