Wise guys' wise advice: eat and live healthy.

• Position: Health education materials from The OrganWise Guys, Inc. - WHAT'S NEW?

Much press has been given to the increasing number of obese children and teenagers in the U.S. In actuality, it may not be necessary to read the statistics in order to be aware of this problem; by taking a look at our schools, it's quite clear that our students have become markedly less fit than youngsters were just two decades ago. The unfortunate consequence is that many more of our youth are suffering from heart disease brought on by high blood pressure and high cholesterol; type 2 diabetes; asthma; and sleep apnea--and we certainly should not overlook the social stigmas they face as well.

One solution is to empower our children from a very early age to understand the importance of healthy eating and an active lifestyle. A program developed by The OrganWise Guys, Inc., Duluth, Ga., consists of an engaging cast of characters designed to inspire children to make behavioral changes as they learn how good nutrition and regular physical activity keep their organs healthy. Through a series of DVDs, music CDs, interactive CD-ROMs, books, and plush figures, these educational and entertaining materials model positive health-related habits.

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Using colorful characters to...