"Research on kids and sports shows danger both when kids aren't active as well as when they're over engaged," said David Lamb, Ph.D., GSSI Chairman and Professor Emeritus at The Ohio State University. "Too little activity contributes to the childhood obesity epidemic, which is growing at an alarming rate, yet physical and psychological pressures on kids playing competitive sports have become so intense that we're seeing more supplement use, overuse injuries and eating disorders," he added. "We need to find a middle ground to keep kids enjoying sports."

Discussions among these experts brought to life the very real contradiction that while too many kids are inactive -- contributing to an increased risk of obesity and diabetes -- while kids who are active are experiencing increasing pressures specialize in one sport and become "bigger, better, faster and stronger" to obtain college sports scholarships at progressively younger ages. This "professionalism of youth sports" is leading to a staggering dropout rate -- estimated to be as high as 75 percent by the age of 13.  

Consensus recommendations from the 2002 football conference contributed to significant policy changes by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for two-a-day football practices, to help protect players from dehydration and heat illness. Changes were made in the number and timing of practices, the uniform worn, and the recovery time required, to assure that players fully and safely acclimatize to the summer heat*.

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Obesity in children There are many lessons learned on the playground.  Recess may be the only opportunity for some children to engage in social interactions with other children.

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