Sports, Walking to School May Cut Obesity

Kids who play multiple sports, and kids who walk or bike to school, are less likely to be obese, a new study finds. The study was based on a series of surveys of 1,700 teens and their parents. They were asked about sports and other physical activities, including how often they biked or walked to school. Researchers also asked about the teens’ height and weight. Those who played at least 3 sports were 27% less likely to be overweight than those who played no sports. They were 39% less likely to be obese. Teens who walked or biked to school 3.5 days a week were 33% less likely to be obese than those who were always driven to school. But the two groups were equally likely to be overweight. Physical education classes had no effect on obesity. Neither did active pastimes other than sports. Researchers said obesity would decrease by 26% if all teens played at least 2 sports.