Obesity rates are rising ever higher, particularly among children. You don't have to make drastic changes all at once. But if you don't do anything today, there is a good chance that your overweight kids will continue to become overweight adults. Vincent Iannelli, M.D., (Pediatrics) offers these five quick and easy weight loss steps that can help you & your child live healthier.

You can add the National Hockey League (NHL) to the list of professional sports organizations now faced with growing evidence that the head injuries that are accepted as part of their sport are indeed causing serious, long-term cognitive and emotional problems in players. We've know the health risks of repeated head trauma to boxers for quite some time. Recently, the National Football League has been grappling with questions of responsibility and accountability for head trauma on the football field.

This week, The New York Times reported that former NHL player Reggie Fleming had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (C.T.E.), a type of brain damage caused by repeated head trauma. Fleming, who died in July, was the first hockey player known to have been tested for the disease.

Dr. Ann McKee, a neuropathologist at Boston University who has also diagnosed C.T.E. in several former N.F.L. players, summed up the issues by saying what we all probably could guess, "Repetitive head injuries can have very serious long-term consequences, regardless of how you get them." If you play any sports with a risk of head trauma, be sure to take the necessary precautions to avoid becoming another head injury statistic. All experts agree that wearing safely equipment, such as a helmet and mouth guard, can reduce the risk of serious head injuries.

More about Head Injuries

• Head Injury First Aid
• What is a Concussion?
• Serious Effects of Mild Concussions
• Girls Suffering More Concussions in High School Sports
• Link Between Concussions and Depression
• Concussion Symptoms and Treatment
• Recurrent concussions may increase the risk of clinical depression
• New Guidelines for Head Injury and Concussion in Youth Sports

Getting the right gift for anyone can be a challenge, but athletes can be especially difficult to shop for. Help us out this holiday by sharing your ideas. Tell us about the best fitness gift you ever received (or gave) and why it's the perfect gift for all types of athletes.

Here's what your fellow reader's had to say:

Pampering

Give anything that would be called pampering. Most athletes train too much & too hard and never 'treat' themselves to anything soft. Give them a treat (good meal out, spa day, massage, a good book, or a movie). Something to get them to stop and slow down or heal a tired, over worked body!

--Deb

Gear

Athlete's love gear. Just look at what they do regularly and replace a piece of gear that they have that is old, worn or overused. Or get one in a different color.

--Guest rarah

A Massage

What athlete can't use a sports massage? It's the best gift ever!

--Guest Timbuk3

Health Club Membership

I received one recently and though it was a great gift. Now I'm more likely to keep up me exercise routine through the cold and snow of winter -- I usually stop exercising in winter, but not this year. Thanks Franny!
--Guest joesoma

Share Your Gift Ideas for Athletes

If you say you can't find time to exercise, you aren't alone. Even Olympic athletes struggle with finding enough time to train for sports, often waking up early for pre-dawn training sessions. Balancing workouts with work, family and social commitments can be challenging and can result inconsistent or skipped workouts. If you are trying to find ways to juggle a demanding training schedule with a hectic life, you aren't alone. Check out some Tips for Busy Athletes to get some ideas to create more time and do more with the time you have.

Also See:
How to Train Like a Trainer.
How Much Exercise Does it Take?