Reported by Christine Webb

Monkey bars, kickball -- many of us remember recess, but according to a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control, memories are all that's left in some communities.

"Nationwide, we know that 67 percent offer recess everyday for all students in their schools for at least 20 minutes," said CDC researchers Sarah Lee.

That leaves more than one-third of schools offering recess to just some students, or not at all, and Lee said the reason may be surprising.

"Schools are crunched for time," Lee said. "One of the biggest reasons is because of the pressures for improving test scores within core academic subjects."

However, along with higher test scores may come higher obesity rates.

"The equation for the increase in obesity we've seen is lack of physical activity combined with higher intake of energy through food and beverages," Lee said. "The more activity kids can get through phys ed and through recess, the better."

In an effort to bring attention to the problem, Lee has teamed up with Cartoon Network's "Get Animated" program to spread the word, and she is getting some major league help from Miami Heat star Dwane Wade.

"Recess is where everything started for me when it came to loving sports, and just wanting to be active and get out there with the kids," Wade said.

Lee and D-Wade agree: Recess can do as much for a child's brain as it does for their bodies.

Evidence shows recess can actually improve classroom attentiveness, concentration and time on task.

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