Projo Offbeat Blog

My stiff back, sore calf muscle and cholesteral concerns are making me feel young.

That's right, I feel like a kid, creaky knee and all.

That's because stress fractures and torn ligaments aren't just for over-the-hill wannabe athletes anymore.

And counting cholesteral is no longer a shuffle-board-like hobby reserved for those of us who've passed 40.

Two recent reports about the nation's health show that many kids are growing up even faster than they might like.

The Associated Press tells us that "injuries once seen mostly in adult athletes are becoming distressingly common in youth athletes - not just in high school, but in Little League and Pee Wee Football."

Those injuries include stress fractures, torn knee ligaments and serious shoulder and elbow problems. Doctors blame specializiation and overtraining.

Hey, little Johnny may not be able to hit, throw or catch like a big leaguer, but he can sure limp like one.

Meanwhile, for the first time, an influential doctors group is recommending that some children as young as 8 be given cholesterol-fighting drugs to ward off future heart problems.

Under certain circumstances, cholesteral screening is recommended sometime after age 2 but no later than age 10.

Hey, Daddy may not be able to ride a skateboard or play video games like Little Johnny, but he can sure take Lipitor like him.

 Tags  athletes cholesteral kids Little League Pee Wee football

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