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Ancient Olympians Were Really In It for the Money
(ARA) - The athletes will be feeling a lot of nostalgia when the 2004 Olympic Games get underway next August. For the first time in nearly 100 years, the games are returning to their place of origin: Athens, Greece. Today’s Olympic games are...

Bengals' quarterback Carson hurt his left knee
NFL Carson Palmer has a torn anterior crucial ligament; when he was tackled on his first pass last Sunday in Cincinnati's NFL playoff game against Pittsburgh. Kimo von Oelhoffen hit Palmer's leg causing it to bow inward at the knee, when...

Electric Scooters: Love At First Spin
Gasoline prices skyrocketing? No need to worry – with a motor or electric scooter one gallon of gas will last for weeks. As people start driving electric scooters, they find more and more reasons to like them. They’re practical, easy to park...

Life Fitness Ellipticals are Amoung the Best
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The rise and fall of Hockey: From Uncertain Beginnings to International Hype
The road from the pond to the pros has been a bumpy one, but professional hockey is back in a big way. Fans that endured last year's NHL lockout are now enjoying the game from the other side of the glass, as they watch their favorite brawlers on...

 
Childhood Obesity

Along with the increase of obesity in adult, childhood obesity is on the rise. Around 15.5 percent of adolescents in the United States, aged 12 to 19 are obese. Even more alarming, about 15.3 percent of children ages 6 to 11 are obese. These children are developing Type II Diabetes and high blood pressure at an early age. They are placing themselves at increased risk for heart disease and other obesity-related diseases. Their weight also makes them the target of bullies and children who insult and taunt them about their weight. This can ruin their self-esteem and put them at risk for depression.
TodayÕs children make up the digital generation. TheyÕve been surrounded by computers their entire life and are not as physically active as children of past generations were. Instead of going outside and playing, they tend to hang out indoors, watching TV and playing computer and video games. Along with lack of physical activity comes the convenience of fast food. There are fast food restaurants virtually around every corner, and they have easy access to snack foods full of saturated fats and sugars. In addition, obese parents are more likely to have obese children. The reason for this is two-fold. First, obese parents probably pass down their poor habits to


their children. Second, genetics plays a role in obesity.
ItÕs important for parents to be role models to their children and emphasize the importance of physical activity and healthy eating. Parents can create healthy environments for their children by doing regular physical activities, such as biking, swimming, or walking together. They should encourage their children to participate in sports, dance, martial arts, and etcetera. This allows children to develop an appreciation of physical activity and enjoy exercising.
When it comes to eating, parents need to implement diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole-grains. They can make eating enjoyable and healthy by preparing food together and eating together as a family. Fast-food should be limited and reserved for special occasions. Way too often, we reward ourselves for a job well done with food. Look for other ways to reward your children for doing a great job, such as a special shopping trip or a day with just mom or dad.
About the Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville, TN.Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/ for more great nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and comments on popular diets.

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