(ARA) – More than two-thirds of Americans surveyed by the Better Sleep Council agree that making a resolution to get more sleep in the New Year is a good idea.

That may be even more important for the millions who resolve to do something about their weight in 2005. Results from a recent study at Columbia University suggest that there may be a strong link between sleep and America's obesity epidemic.

According to the research, the more you sleep, the less likely you are to become obese. In fact, people who get less than the suggested 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night are up to 73 percent more likely to be obese. While diet resolutions are among the hardest to keep, getting more slimming sleep is relatively easy, the Better Sleep Council survey shows. Three-quarters of those who resolve to get more sleep in the new year believe it is an achievable goal.

Investing in a comfortable, supportive new mattress and foundation can make all the difference. The Better Sleep Council has partnered with the National Sleep Foundation on sleep tips to help Americans in their effort to start every day of the new year with a good night’s sleep.
* Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule, including weekends.
* Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine such as soaking in a hot bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music.
* Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool.
* Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.
* Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex. It is best to take work materials, computers and televisions out of the sleeping environment.
* Finish eating at least two to three hours before your regular bedtime.
* Exercise regularly. It is best to complete your workout at least a few hours before bedtime.
* Avoid nicotine (e.g., cigarettes, tobacco products). Used close to bedtime, it can lead to poor sleep.
* Avoid caffeine (e.g., coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) close to bedtime. It can keep you awake.
* Avoid alcohol close to bedtime. It can lead to disrupted sleep later in the night.

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(ARA) - Typical lunch beverages for kids can range from juice boxes to soda. But for Angie Clark’s first grade class of 20, a field trip to the local grocery store inspired her students to make a healthier choice by drinking white milk.

Clark took her students to the Lowes Foods grocery store in Siler City, North Carolina for an educational field trip to introduce them to experience-based lessons on nutrition and healthy eating. “After the field trip, I made it a challenge to see how many kids could drink white milk,” Clark says. “I had six students drink white milk at lunch the day of the field trip when I normally only had one or two.” Clark is just one of the many teachers who agree that experience-based learning has a positive impact on children.

Surveys reveal that nutrition education field trips aid in children’s understanding of leading healthy lifestyles. Eighty-five percent of teachers surveyed stated that their students are more aware of healthier food choices after taking a nutrition education field trip. Another 84 percent believe their students are more aware of why it is important to be healthy and fit and have gained a better understanding of nutrition.

The United States Surgeon General has stated that 25 percent of America’s children are overweight or obese, encouraging educators and companies to take the responsibility of relaying nutritional lessons to our youth. Grocers have recognized the need for nutrition education among youth-based groups through in-store, experience-based field trips. These trips teach children the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle by providing them with lessons pertaining to meal choices, food groups and fitness. "I think healthy eating is an area that needs more in-depth instruction in our curriculum," Clark says. "While they are at school, we have to teach them these healthy choices, especially to address obesity."

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LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP) -- Consumer electronics companies commonly cater to couch potatoes by pitching bigger television sets, more mesmerizing video games and remote controls that can even place online orders for pizza.

But a small cadre of entrepreneurs at the International Consumer Electronics Show hope their gizmos make you work up a sweat. Company executives insist that "exergaming" or "exertainment" -- the marriage of physical exercise and video gaming -- is becoming a hot new niche, and the most bullish aficionados say it might even help reduce the nation's obesity epidemic.

Six exhibitors -- many startups new to CES -- showed off digital putting greens, optical sensors in miniature dance floors, biofeedback devices and cutting-edge workout contraptions.

One race car simulation contraption -- "Kilowatt SPORT" from Laurel, Maryland-based startup Powergrid Fitness Inc. -- looked similar to a NordicTrack cross-country ski machine hooked up to a wide-screen plasma television. Moving the hand controls while trying to stand up straight on the $800 machine requires extensive flexing of the muscles in the arms, back, abdominal area and thighs.

But most of the PlayZone devices, often played on PlayStations and Xboxes, didn't feel like exercise at all -- exactly what many exertainment companies like to hear. "The most common question I get is, 'How is this exercise? I just don't see how this is a workout,"' said Abigail Whitting, customer support manager for Kilowatt, which won a CES innovation award. "But it will tone you. It is a workout."

Some exertainment executives say their gizmos can help trim the nation's expanding waistline -- especially among children, who might be tricked into working out if they think they're merely playing a video game.

Jason Enos, product manager for Konami Digital Entertainment, soaked through his T-shirt after hours of demonstrating his company's smash hit, "Dance Dance Revolution." Players tap their feet to the correct circle on a floor pad, based on cues on the screen. Advanced levels require fancy footwork, but players work up a sweat even on the easiest level.

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"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

- Winston Churchill

Dear Flabby,
I overindulged over the holidays and gained more than the classic 10 pounds. All of my favorite exercises are outdoors but it's really cold out. What's your opinion?

Mrs. Trent. - Toronto

Dear Mrs. T,

You are not serious. I can forgive you for your weight gain because everyone is allowed a little time off from the rigors of healthy living. But your continued laziness is annoying and using stupid reasons like the weather means I've got nothing to say to you except, get up, get out and get going.

( send your question to dearflabby@prosnack.com )

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