Baldacci Signs Anti-Obesity Laws

Two of the laws deal with schools. One will ask schools to report the height and weight of students, anonymously, to the state. The other will study physical education programs to help schools get more activity into their schedules.

National standards call for an hour of physical activity in schools each day. Rep. Seth Berry, the bill's sponsor, says many maine school children only have one phys. ed. period per week. He says we need to do better in getting our kids to be more active.

A third new law requires chain restaurants with twenty or more branches to list the calorie content of meals on the menu, similar to laws in New York and some other states. Supporters say the restaurant law in particular helps people make smarter choices.