ROUND-UP: EFFECTS OF TELEVISION ON CHILDREN (continued)
We've added the following to items posted previously at http://profnet.prnewswire.com/organik/orbital/thewire/lst_leads.jsp?iLRTopicID =3615
**1. DR. BILL MAIER, vice president and psychologist-in-residence with FOCUS ON THE FAMILY: "We now have research linking excessive television viewing to childhood obesity, aggressive behavior and attention problems. The evidence is overwhelming -- too much TV can be hazardous to a child's health. Curtail the amount of time spent in front of the tube, closely monitor the content of programs that you allow your kids to watch, and for heaven's sake, get the TV out of your child's bedroom."
_____LEADS
**1. ENTERTAINMENT: MARRYING INTO THE 'BUZZ' FACTOR. MARK HUGHES, author of "Buzzmarketing": "Think Affleck vs. Damon. Think Katie Holmes with Tom Cruise. Sometimes the best way to go from 'OK' actor to 'buzz factor' is to marry buzz (or almost marry buzz). If you're a Discovery Channel watcher, you may have caught the 'celebrity of mechanics' Jesse James. But now that James is officially wed to Sandra Bullock, expect his buzz factor to rise. Remember when Spice Girl Posh married soccer star David Beckham? He was just that, a soccer player, but now transformed into one of the world's noteworthy male names by marrying into the buzz factor."
**2. FAMILY ISSUES: HANDLE ESTATE BEFORE THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE. GLENDA BREWER, attorney at COWLES & THOMPSON: "Following a loved one's death, families with emotions on edge may find themselves arguing over everything from finances to who gets Dad's old work boots. Sentimental personal items are just as likely as money to spark family conflict. The bottom line is that unless it's in a will, there is no binding resolution and you risk a rift where siblings are fighting over red wagons and scrapbooks -- items that carry deep emotional value. People should consider gifting these items to loved ones while they can. That way you know they are going to the right people for the right reasons, and you get to experience the joy of the gifting."
**3. PARENTING: THE INCREASING DIVIDE BETWEEN NEED AND WANT. PENNY HAWK, program manager of the SHOPA KIDS IN NEED FOUNDATION: "It is that time of year when families are feeling the pressure of what must be done before the kids go back to school. Where to shop, what to buy and what is hot for the coming school year are some of the big questions weighing on the minds of parents and kids alike. But for many students and families, the question of 'what's hot,' is not the concern, but it's 'what do we do?' And the increasing divide between the haves and have-nots is at no time more apparent than back-to- school. It no longer becomes a question of the latest fashion, or the latest gadget to purchase, but rather a struggle to provide basic learning tools a child needs, that will enable them to have the most successful, and dare we say 'normal' learning experience when they return to the classroom."
**4. PARENTING: TEACH YOUR CHILD THE VALUE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. STEPHEN J. VIRGILIO, professor and director of graduate studies at ADELPHI UNIVERSITY: "While positive trends have begun to emerge in school-based physical activity programs, the foundation for leading an active lifestyle starts long before a child enters school. Parents are the most influential force in a child's life. Studies have found that children are more likely to be active if their parents or siblings are active, if their parents support play and physical activity and if they have convenient access to play areas and equipment outdoors. Reaching children in their formative years, starting as young as two-years- old, is key to teaching important health concepts."
**5. PARENTING: THERE ARE STILL DUBIOUS GAME RATINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR. DAVID G. KINNEY, co-founder and CEO of PSVRATINGS: "It appears that 'Grand Theft Auto' is not the only game that needs a rating revision. In light of the controversy surrounding the discovery that the game contains pornographic material, questions are being raised about the appropriateness of other ESRB ratings. The video game 'Leisure Suit Larry,' has the premise of 'help Larry earn a BA in T&A' and is rated 'M' for mature humor, strong language, strong sexual content, use of alcohol and nudity. Although the ESRB has made the decision to change the rating of 'Grand Theft Auto' from 'M' to 'AO,' there are still games with dubious ratings like 'Leisure Suit Larry' out there."
**6. PARENTING: 'STAY COOL' TIPS FOR PLAYING IT SAFE. JERRY REEDER, MS, national faculty member of the AMERICAN SPORT EDUCATION PROGRAM: "With the summer's heat wave continuing to blaze across the nation, taking precaution against heat-related illnesses is critical in youth sports, particularly in youth football, where practice begins at the height of the summer months. To ensure young athletes' safety, parents and coaches must monitor weather and adjust practices accordingly; acclimatize players to the heat and humidity; insist that players wear light clothing; identify and monitor players who are prone to heat illness; ensure proper hydration and replenish electrolytes."
**7. SHOPPING: FINDING THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY TOOLS FOR CHILDREN. GRETCHEN MILLER, former school teacher and current director of mobile marketing for DELL, can provide tips for parents to prepare them for the back-to-school buying season: "There are so many ways to find the right technology tools for children today that is becomes essential for parents to be in-the-know about the best ways to save money during one of the hottest shopping seasons of the year. This knowledge makes all the difference between making a regular store purchase and landing a great offer." From tips to shopping online, to specific product bundles for each age group, Miller can provide little known ways to get the best deals on consumer electronics.
**8. SPORTS: WHEELIE AND HOP LIKE A PRO BIKER. BRIAN LOPES, professional mountain biker and author at HUMAN KINETICS, INC., has dominated BMX, downhill, dual slalom, dual, and now biker cross racing for more than a decade and says most competitors will tell you that their sport is all about vertical dimension: "Ripples, roots, rocks, ravines -- they force us to go over or around. If you can't lift your bike, you're stuck going around. That's entertaining, but the real thrills begin when you can take the bird line: straight over." Over 300 of the world's best alternative sports athletes will compete for medals and nearly $1 million during the Summer X-Games Aug. 4-7, 2005, including BMX competitors.
**9. TRAVEL: HISTORIC PRESERVATION SITES ARE A HUGE TOURIST ATTRACTION. ROBERT HUDSON WESTOVER, chairman of the S.S. UNITED STATES FOUNDATION: "Many travelers select destinations because of their historic importance. There's a huge market in seeking those with unique interests in visiting historic maritime sites like old ships and lighthouses. For example, in Philadelphia, thousands come to see a historic site that isn't even advertised, but has been sitting on Philadelphia's waterfront for almost 10 years."
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