Physically active teens stay out of trouble.

• Position: YOUR LIFE - Brief article

Physically active adolescents not only are improving their health, they are decreasing the chance that they will get into trouble, states research out of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Among teens who fare well are skateboarders, particularly regarding their self-esteem, despite a lack of broad public support for this activity. The study found that teens who participate in a wide variety of physical activities, especially with their parents, are at decreased risk for drinking, abusing drugs, violent behavior, smoking, having sex, and delinquency compared to those who watch television excessively.

"Adolescents who spend a lot of time watching TV or playing computer video games tend to be at a higher risk for engaging in...