Ben is dead on.

Get em the hell out of the house. #1 thing.

Also there's programs growing out there including one run by my far more intelligent half. Their tagline (Ben, she's been interviewed on NY1 twice now, you've probably seen it.):

a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and a healthy lifestyle through running. Our curricula address all aspects of girls' development: their physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being.

I'm fat cuz I only fish with bait.

PRNewswire, 05/23/07 - A study sponsored by Anthem BCBS and MaineHealth indicates that physical inactivity and excess weight are costing Maine's economy a conservatively estimated $2.56 billion in avoidable medical and workers' compensation costs and lost productivity each year.

The study quantifies the economic costs of inactivity and excess weight for Maine, in addition to the already well-documented cost in lives lost and diminished quality of life. The quantified the cost of three important risk factors -- physical inactivity, overweight and obesity -- on three major cost components -- medical care, workers' compensation, and lost productivity. Like other studies conducted in seven other states, the cost of these three risk factors in Maine is staggering and warrant immediate attention and corrective action.

According to the report, the costs mainly impact employers in the form of more expensive health insurance and lost productivity. Direct and indirect costs of the risk factor physical inactivity totaled $1.289 billion, while risk factors for overweight and obesity totaled $414 million and $863 million, respectively. Lost productivity (absenteeism, presenteeism, short-term disability, and on-the-job injury) in direct and indirect costs totaled $2.09 billion annually based on 2004 data.

The study suggests that without changes in lifestyle, the costs are likely to get worse. Unless current trends towards increased weight and less physical activity are slowed or reversed, the total impact on Maine's economy will rise to $3.10 billion in 2009, a cumulative 5-year increase of more than 21%.

The bulk of the cost of this epidemic is borne directly by employers and taxpayers, but it affects everyone. In fact, the report divides the annual cost by the number of Maine residents, giving a per person, per year cost of nearly $2,000.

The report says that nearly 47% of Maine adults are physically inactive, 43.9% are overweight and almost 30% of Maine adults are obese according to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The good news is that if just 5% of inactive Maine adults took a brisk 20 minute walk five times per week, the savings to Maine's economy would total more than $150 million a year or $750 million over five years.

Workplace wellness programs are becoming increasingly common in businesses throughout the state. Anthem has hosted a series of statewide conferences on wellness, including an upcoming conference on May 31 on the role of communities in encouraging physical activity and a healthy diet in Maine children and adults. A copy of the summary report can be found at www.anthem.com/maine/weightstudy.

mmmmmm

Think Twice before you eat McDonalds - YouTube

In some forums I go to, bumping 4 1/2 year old threads is a mandatory 48-hour ban. :devil2:

I think diet has a big effect now. Yes more exercise for kids is certainly needed. I see no kids playing outside in my neighborhood either. Its too bad because in addition to health issues , playing outside is a lot of fun they miss out on. I remember as a kid with a bike , we had a huge range to roam. was nothing to get 5 miles from home on your bike. The only bikers I see now are 20-40 year olds in fancy suits seriously riding. I never see kids around on bikes.

I wonder if playing outside or the freedom of a bike is something parents view as dangerous now? What a world!

We went shopping the other day for some Toys for Tots gifts. I was picking things up that were simple things for little kids...fun stuff that I would have liked as a kid...

Remember the little game with the magnet and the metal filings with the outline of the man, you drew on him how you wanted him to look? I picked up a bunch of those and said perfect...clean fun. Wife says wtf you get those for there no kid that will like those.

We'll see. Maybe maybe not. When I was a kid it was a treat once a month to have mcdonalds and we were always outside playing. We used to run the whole neighborhood playing kick the can.

Too much video games now. way too much. Disappointing.

I though you might like to see that video. Who cares if it's a 4 yo thread. It holds true today still

ugh.

I think that's a big part of it. Also, back home you lived in planned neighborhoods were you'd have a dozen kids around your own age. Out here things are much more mixed up, at least where I am.

-spence

What if Chafee's sugar tax gets passed?

All you freakin morons who voted for this a$$hole should be ashamed of yourselves. And you know who you are!

Think about it......a sugar tax.If Stinc has his way we won't even have a say in what are children eat.

Chafee's a joke and so are the people who voted him into office.JOKE.

I'm not a big fan of video games...but its not always video games that keeps kids off the streets.

Kids are a lot busier now-a-days too.....when I was a kid, My Dad worked, My mom worked Part Time, and I went out and hung w/ friends, the end....got into some trouble as well too :hee:

Things are Uber-Organized now-a-days...friekin playdates....WTF....gotta schedule getting together now.

Now my kids growing up had Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Scouts, Dance...right now my son does Drama, A-Capella, and Jazz Ensemble as well as Boy Scouts and Ventures during the week....my daughter does Dance 3-4 times a week after school, and is a Homework Junkie (2-3 hours a day).

also when I grew up I lived in a city...walk out my door and had 15 kids my age within 200 yards of my house...easy to find kids to hang with. where I live now....the nearest boy my son's age lives 3/4 mile away.....don't have that closeness.

I think the Obesity thing has a lot to do w/ the crap kids eat as well as lethargy on both their's and their parents part. There are a good number that really are just wasting away in front of the video games....and parents need to kick them into play....takes work to do and people are getting lazy as a whole

The only person I know who voted for Linc Chafee is S-B's own resident geologist RIROCKHOUND.

-spence

awesome :hee:

Lawmaker Says Michelle Obama Has ‘Large Posterior’ - FishbowlDC

If true it is really pathetic. Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

It's true, she has a big butt. Still doesn't make it ok to mention it publicly.

So it's ok to talk about Kim Kardashians ass but not her royal highness?

Well, the thing is she isn't fat...that's just how she's built. To call out her a$$ like this isn't just silly, it's really a pig headed remark.

-spence

In your eyes :love:

Personally I thought it pretty darn funny.

gotta love pigs