Exercise: Lose Weight, Boost Brain
According to a new study, exercise helps overweight kids learn. Lose weight and get smarter—one heck of a bargain! Robert Preidt of HealthDay News reports:
Three months of daily, vigorous exercise can improve overweight kids' thinking, U.S. researchers report.When I was a kid I used to run around all day, but I was still a little dummy!
Physical activity can also lower their diabetes risk, reduce their body fat, and strengthen their bones, says a team that looked at about 200 overweight, inactive children, ages 7 to 11.
All the children learned about healthy nutrition and the benefits of physical activity. In addition, a third of the children exercised 20 minutes a day, and another third exercised for 40 minutes. During the exercise sessions, the children played running games and used hula hoops and jump ropes to get their heart rates to 79 percent of maximum -- considered a vigorous workout.
