The declining fitness levels correspond with the decreasing emphasis on physical education in upper grades, according to Cooper.

“I hope these results shock the state into reality and into action,” Cooper says. “We must immunize children against obesity while in elementary schools so that as they age, they are more likely to stay healthy and fit. By the time students graduate, they should be ready mentally and physically to achieve their dreams.”

Cooper is now raising another $1 million so he can study the test results further to make regional comparisons. He also wants to determine whether physically fit students do better academically and whether they have higher attendance rates, lower rates of violence and lower rates of substance abuse. He would also like to improve menus in schools and expand the testing to other states.

Although Cooper easily could afford to retire, he says he will not.

“And you can see why,” he says. “I'm obsessed with this kids' fitness thing. I've got four grandkids. If I don't do something, who else is going to do something?”

Millie says, “It's wonderful at his age to have a second passion that is as great as his first passion.”

Cooper's work has always been his passion rather than just his profession, his family says.

“It's a life's ambition,” says Tyler. “It's not a job. It's who he is. Everything he preaches, he believes. It's a higher calling.”

Cooper Keeps a Tight Schedule

At 77 years old, Dr. Kenneth Cooper is still CEO of the Cooper Aerobics Center, Dallas. He still lectures internationally. He's written 19 books, the last one with his son, Dr. Tyler Cooper. He still sees patients, although he sees about half the number of patients that most doctors do. He spends time traveling with his wife, Millie, and visiting with Tyler and his family as well as his daughter, Berkley, and her family.

How does he fit it all in? By being disciplined with his time.

His day begins at 5:40 a.m. when he wakes up. He arrives at the Cooper Aerobics Center, which is just 10 minutes from his house, by 6:30 a.m. He spends 15 to 20 minutes in prayer and Bible study. Around 7 a.m., he begins dictation and finishes that by about 9:30 a.m.

He then sees patients from 9:30 a.m. to about 2 p.m. or 2:30 p.m., spending an hour and a half with most of the patients.

Between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., he has a light lunch. He then finishes other work until 6:30 p.m. when he exercises, either at the fitness center or walks on the track around the Cooper Aerobic Center's grounds.

He leaves the Cooper Institute around 7:45 p.m. and heads home for dinner, taking a short nap afterwards.

Then, he works from home until about midnight before he goes to bed, only to start the routine over at 5:40 a.m. the next day.

Dr. Kenneth Cooper's Life in a Timeline

1931 - Born in Oklahoma City, OK.

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