It has been considered that the physical activity level in school children is often limited in those who have asthma. However, the exact levels of such activity in asthmatic children are not well defined. This study used a structured telephone survey to compare the levels of physical activity, degrees of respiratory symptomatology, and approaches to physical activity in parents and treating physicians of 137 asthmatic children and 106 nonasthmatic children (ages 6-12 years). The investigators found that asthmatic children were less active on a representative day surveyed (mean physical activity: 116 minutes in asthmatic vs 146 minutes in nonasthmatic children). Also, a higher percentage of asthmatic children were active less than 3 days per week (21% of asthmatic vs 9% of nonasthmatic children). Among the asthmatic children, the severity of respiratory symptoms and parental attitudes about the advisability of physical exercise by their children were predictors of decreased physical activity levels. The authors concluded that treating physicians must address exercise and its benefits with asthmatic patients and their caregivers to help achieve the goal of normal physical activity in children with asthma. Such a discussion should include a program for pre-exercise medication when needed to prevent significant increases in respiratory symptoms during exercise.