A task force appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush will spend the next three months trying to figure out why so many Floridians young and old are obese, then suggest the best way to combat the problem.

``We're going to be openminded and not push any one thing or take any one thing off the table,'' state Health Secretary John Agwunobi said.

The task force will hold meetings throughout the state during the next three months before presenting its recommendations to the governor in February, just before the start of the 2004 legislative session.

Although none of the meetings will be in Tampa, it's not for lack of concern.

Residents, lawmakers and officials from the Tampa Bay area have become more vocal in recent years about the rising rates of obesity, particularly among children.

``We're looking at a tremendous rise in obesity rates of children,'' said task force member Jim Bell, president of the Tampa-based International Fitness Professionals Association. ``We're still not seeing any changes, not locally, not in the state, not nationally. The numbers continue to increase, and if you look at the numbers and think about what's going to happen over the next two years, it's very scary.''

Dwindling physical education requirements, abbreviated or no recess at area public schools as well as concerns over the nutritional content of school lunches and junk-food- filled vending machines have caught the attention of parents, school officials and lawmakers.

``I think from what I've seen there's a universal concern from educators and coaches and parents that because of budgetary concerns, schools are having to de-emphasize physical education and playtime in elementary schools,'' said Rep. Bob Henriquez, D- Tampa. ``There's a real concern about the the level of fitness for youngsters,'' said Henriquez, who coaches football at Jefferson High School in Tampa.

But Henriquez said it's not just inactivity.

``At Jefferson, where I coach, schools are contracting with vendors, ... [who are offering] things you wouldn't want kids eating, to bring in money,'' he said.

Among them are soft drink companies that stock their vending machines with cans of calorie-packed soda.

``Pepsi and Coca-Cola are throwing millions of dollars at you that you're not getting from the government to run programs,'' said Karen Brown, a registered nurse and supervisor of school health for Hillsborough County schools.

Brown said Hillsborough schools have their own task force of sorts. They spent most of last year discussing children's health with representatives from local chapters of health care groups such as the American Heart Association.

``The whole thing revolved around obesity and inactivity,'' Brown said.

But unhealthy snacks, treats and soda are still sold and served in Hillsborough schools.

Brown said there's frustration among her colleagues because too many people are relying on schools to provide the fix. ``I think it's going to take everybody being on the same page,'' she said.

The statewide group will tackle a range of issues and options during the next three months, some of which include removing junk-food- filled vending machines. The panel considered that idea last week after it was floated by Ann Bowden, wife of Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden.

State lawmakers also are starting to get involved.

Under a bill filed last week by Rep. Frank Farkas, a Republican from St. Petersburg serving on the task force, schools will have to ban sugared soft drinks sold or distributed in public elementary, middle and high schools. If passed, schools will have to limit the drink selection to water, low-fat or fat- free milk, juices with no less than 50 percent fruit juice, noncaffeinated beverages and sugar-free drinks.

The chairman of the task force promised the group will deliver a clear set of recommendations.

``By the time we report to the governor, we're going to have some concrete ideas that we can and should do,'' said Zachariah P. Zachariah, chairman of the task force.