If you are a woman who exercises you may be working out too hard…check out this new study out of Northwestern Medicine in Chicago on calibrating a woman’s heart rate.

Between 1999-2007, the rate of Childhood Obesity in Vermont increased by 42 percent, according to the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University. Kids need to move more and eat better- the question is how to make that happen.

Some thoughts:
1) Limit computer/ TV time
2) Introduce kid’s to healthy nutritious food
3) Keeps sweets out of the house
4) Hire a Personal Trainer to create a workout program for the kids.
5) Get the kid’s involved in some type of sport or group exercise program.
6) Parents need to demonstrate healthy habits

The highlights of the article are:
1) Helmets reduce the risk of head injuries up to 88% and facial injuries by 65%
2) Low-priced helmets, as long as they have the meet the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. work just as well as high-priced ones.
3) Cheap helmets offer the same impact protection as high-cost helmets.
4) The helmet should fit snug and comfortable.
5) One fall per helmet. Helmets are lined with a polystyrene foam that will compress upon impact.
6) The materials in a helmet degrade over time, it is time to replace the helmet every five to seven years.

My comment- After reading this article-
1) I have had my current helmet for 6 years- time to trade it in for a new model…and now I know it does not have to be the top end modal to be functional and pricey as long as it has the C.P.S.C. federal approval.
2) No more recreational riding without my helmet. The risk is too great at 88% for some simple mishap to happen…I have a hard head but why try to prove it .
3) I will be a crusader for helmet safety.

Here is the link http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/health/22patient.html?emc=eta1