Kid's Corner Nation wide, 19.6% of children and 18% of adolescents are obese. An estimated 80% of adolescents who are overweight become obese in adulthood. Medical complications common in children who are overweight include hypertension, type 2 diabetes, respiratory ailments, orthopedic problems, trouble sleeping and depression. Children spend an average of 5.5 hours per day using media, whether that be the t.v., computer, cell phone, they are tech savvy. Kids and teens spend the majority of their time sitting and not getting physical activity, so we need to reach them where they are at. The following links are for you to use with your kids to help them learn about health, nutrition, and exercise. Websites and Online Games; Nourishinteractive.com offers online nutrition games to educate children about the food pyramid, meal planning, concepts about energy balance, and the importance of physical activity. Key features include; interactive learning, difficulty levels tailored to different age groups, and audio instructions for children who have not yet learned to read. For parents there are grocery and cooking tips, recipes and nutrition articles. MyPyramid.gov offers a flash game to teach youths about the Food Guidance System, look for the new guidelines coming out in 2010 BestBonesForever.gov developed by the Office on Women's Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, targets girls 9-14 with interactive quizzes, jokes, and recipe ideas to promote physical activity and consumption of calcium rich foods. The website links to an interactive flash animation game-Powerful Girls by B*tween productions, Inc- in which characters choose calcium-rich foods and engage in physical activity in order for the player to unlock new outfits in a virtual boutique. KidsHealth.org provides information for parents , kids and teens on topics ranging from positive parenting, growth and development, sexual health, nutrition, and fitness. Article topics for teens range from vegetarianism, body image, fad diets, and goal setting to safety tips in addition to more common nutrition topics such as food label reading and healthy snacking. The site offers games and movies on various health issues. I hope you find these sites helpful, if you have any more questions or concerns please contact The Healthier You.