CNN reports that interactive video games could help some children lose weight. Considering the average child watches 4 hours of television each day, active video games are a good alternative to sitting on the couch. Some studies show that kids are 3 to 4 times more likely to lose weight using these video games vs. nothing. Until playing the Nintendo Wii I've never had any interest in video games. The active games are much more fun and they defiantly get your heart pumping. They're perfect for boring rainy days but I don't think they could ever build a system that would take the place of fresh air and sunshine.

A study by the British Medical Journal looked at how they interactive activities matched up to the real thing:

Interactive Boxing: 175 Calories

Real Boxing: 384 Calories

Interactive Bowling: 168

Real Bowling: 192

The results show that some interactive video games may be closer to the real thing than others. Although these video games are great additions to the world of fitness, they haven't yet replaced the real thing and I don't see them doing so any time soon.

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UGG Australia is proud to announce the fifth annual ART & SOLE CELEBRITY AUCTION to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Simpson, Kelly Ripa, Liv Tyler, Miley Cyrus, Ellen DeGeneres, Eva Longoria and many more put their artistic skills to work for UGG Australia's fifth annual Art & Sole Collection. Using the word 'hope' as their muse, the select group painted signature UGG Australia Classic Boots creating one-of-a kind pieces of art. The hand painted one-of-a kind boots will be auctioned off from December 1st through December 14th with 100 percent of the net proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to help children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

To learn more CLICK HERE!

Eating disorders rose significantly among American boys between 1995 and 2005, according to a study that examined weight control behaviors among high school students.

The study, based on an analysis of national data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, identified a large increase in all forms of weight control behaviors among males, including dieting, diet product use, purging, exercise and vigorous exercise.

Hispanic males were most likely to practice weight control, while white males were least likely, said the study authors, led by Y. May Chao of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn.

They also found a significant overall increase in dieting and diet product use among female adolescents. White females were most likely practice weight control while black females were least likely, the researchers said.

The increased weight control behavior noted in males suggests growing social pressure for males to achieve unrealistic body expectations, thus increasing the risk of body dissatisfaction and eating disorders, the study authors said.

"Considering that males have negative attitudes toward treatment-seeking and are less likely than females to seek treatment, efforts should be made to increase awareness of eating disorder symptomatology in male adolescents, and future prevention efforts should target male as well as female adolescents," the researchers wrote.

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30 Rock star Alec Baldwin wants the Hillary Clinton to vote "no" on the $10 billion farm bill, now before the Senate, that would give subsidies to farmers who provide cheese, sugar and other fattening foods to schools.

"As you are well aware, the epidemic of childhood obesity is worsening day by day, leading to higher risks of diabetes, heart disease and several forms of cancer," the actor wrote Monday in a personal letter to Clinton and each of her fellow senators. "I know that you share my concern about this crucial issue."

"As a parent," Baldwin continued, "I see firsthand the challenges of keeping children focused on healthful foods. These challenges are made all the more difficult by federal policies that keep high-cholesterol, high-sugar foods all too plentiful in schools. ...

"There has never been a more urgent time to take action."

Kyle Ash of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, who's working with Baldwin, told NY Daily News: "I think she's vacillating.

"I do think she'd like to vote for something healthier for kids, but the last time we met with her staff, they told us she was concerned about dairy farmers. Dairy is a big industry in New York."

Clinton's spokesman Philippe Reines told us: "Sen. Clinton has a strong and long record of promoting healthy foods for children, and has worked to strengthen programs that promote fruits and vegetables."

I think it's great that Alec Baldwin is speaking out for this very important cause. I wonder how Hilary will vote?!

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I'd love to give out popcorn or raisins for Halloween but my boyfriend won’t let me. He says "they'll egg our house, that's what kids do". I wonder if he's speaking from experience. Anyhow, I don't believe the children in my neighborhood would do such a thing but I'd rather not waste my money on treats that'll end up in the trash.

 For Halloween this year I’ve decided to give out dark chocolate. Studies have shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants. I repeat dark chocolate, not milk chocolate; in fact milk may interfere with the body’s absorption of antioxidants. As a little pointer; don't eat a dark chocolate candy bar with a glass of milk thinking you've done yourself a favor. Dark chocolate also has been known to lower blood pressure, not that children have high blood pressure.

To avoid eating more candy than you give out:

·         Try to find candy that you don’t love.

·         Don’t buy the candy too soon.

·         Open the bag only when the sun sets on Halloween.

·         Keep it in an inconvenient place like the garage or basement.

·         While giving out candy prepare yourself a healthy snack to munch on.

·         Don’t keep any candy for yourself. If there’s any left over leave it on the front step.