A new study suggesting that grossly overweight children have the arteries of a typical 45-year-old illustrates why kids need to spend more time exercising and less time in front of televisions and computers.

A report Wednesday by the Journal Sentinel's John Fauber said the study found more evidence that the process of arterial disease begins early in life, increasing the risk of premature heart disease in adulthood. Doctors also have been finding abnormally high levels of cholesterol in obese kids ages 5 to 18.

The research was not surprising to Laure DeMettia, assistant clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

Young people are spending too much time in front of the television and not enough time exercising, she said.

A few ideas on how to change that:

— Parents should make sure their kids spend less than two hours a day watching television, talking on the phone and playing video games, and parents should encourage regular exercise.

— Parents should eliminate from their kids' diets soda and other sweetened beverages that are loaded with calories.

— Families should eat meals with the television off to encourage healthier eating habits and less snacking.

— Schools should incorporate more after-school activities and eliminate sugary snacks from their vending machines.

The long-term toll of childhood obesity includes more medical problems, including diabetes, and shortened, harder lives. Schools and parents need to work together to establish healthier lifestyles for children.

REPRINTED FROM THE MILWAUKEE JOURNALS SENTINEL.

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