Learning Objective: This is a reading and comprehension class. At the end of the session, the participants are expected to be able to improve vocabulary and recall skills. And also to improve critical thinking and conversation skills.

Story Proper

Researchers at a university in America have come up with a novel and ingenious way to help kids stay trim and avoid childhood obesity. It is a simple trick of making toys heavier, thus requiring children to exert more effort during playtime and so burn more calories. The research team, at Indiana State University, conducted tests on ten young volunteers aged between six to eight years. The kids played with specially adapted toys and teddy bears that had been inserted with steel blocks to increase their weight by one-and-a-half kilograms. The children were oblivious to the fact the toys were heavier and burnt more calories than other children playing with regular toys. The research may lead to a revolution in how kids exercise and simultaneously increase the biceps of parents who tidy up after their children.

Lead researcher Dr John Ozmun remained cautious about the implications of his research. He doubted it would solve the obesity problem but ventured to say: "it could be a small part of the puzzle, making a positive contribution… This study provides one intervention to the current trend of declining fitness in America's youth." He tentatively added: "Handling heavier objects, either through play or instruction, may provide opportunities to increase workload intensity in a benign manner allowing for subsequent improvements in children's physical fitness." He stressed that his findings are just a starting point and that weighted toys would not be on toy store shelves any time soon. He said they would initially most likely serve a niche market for physical therapists to help their young patients with strength, balance and coordination.


Activity Proper






"Online activities, the mp3 and printable handouts are available for this lesson at http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com"