A recent study published in Brain Research shows that kids who are more physically fit than less active peers have larger learning and memory centers of the brain (called the Hippocampus) and perform better on memory tasks.
I grew up in a suburb of a suburb of a suburb of Cleveland and was ALWAYS outside running round through the woods behind my house, exploring the creeks, riding bikes along what used to be railroad tracks before they were torn out... I started playing basketball in a league at the age of 8 and played right on up through my Senior year of high school varsity and some intramural's in college. The old 8 bit Nintendo came out when I was about 7 years old and there was no way in the world my dad was going to buy me one. In fact, I was stuck with my brother's oooold Atari, that didn't work well, but when it did, I would play Frogger for 10 minutes until I got so frustrated I'd turn it off and go play outside again :)
Living here in Phoenix, I honestly feel bad for kids who grow up in this huge metropolis of pavement and dirt, who will probably never know what cool, moist grass feels like under dirty, bare feet on a summer evening.
BUT the good news is there are still TONS of opportunities for kids to get involved in physical activities. So do your kids a favor and make them turn off the TV and the playstation. One day they'll thank you.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6SYR-50V5NMC-4&_user=10&_coverDate=10%2F28%2F2010&_rdoc=20&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_origin=browse&_zone=rslt_list_item&_srch=doc-info%28%23toc%234841%232010%23986419999%232460740%23FLA%23display%23Volume%29&_cdi=4841&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=27&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=325a844e852d11f884507be55a947411&searchtype=a
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