Students of Mountain View and Los Altos high schools are the fittest in the Bay Area according to the governor's office.

The Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District has been named "District of the Year" in the Bay Area region by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, which sponsored the year-long competition with the intent of promoting physical health in California public schools.

Barry Groves, superintendent of the district, said he was pleased with the award, and said the district had been focusing on improving the overall fitness of its student body for a several years. Students in 9th grade have shown the most improvement, he said.

"We believe that fitness is tied to strong academic performance," Groves said. "By being fit, we hope students will do better in school."

Last school year 1,381 students in the district took part in the challenge to participate in a physical activity for 30 to 60 minutes a day, at least three days a week for a month.

According to the governor's office, national research indicates that less than 50 percent of 9- to 11-year-olds participate in the recommended 60 minutes of exercise a day. By encouraging children and teens to exercise, the Governor's Challenge hopes participants will become healthier both mentally and physically.

Of the participants 1,381 met that goal, and cumulatively logged 26,101 days of physical activity.

The district has been invited to the capitol on Sept. 17 to receive a gold medal for its achievement.