Health officials say one reason so many American kids are overweight is that few have a nearby place to play and exercise. Only about one in five homes have parks within a half-mile, and about the same number have a fitness or recreation center within that distance. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report also finds that fewer than one in five U.S. high school students get at least an hour of physical activity a day.

Rochambeau has been used a lot during recesses in Stockton Unified the past two years. Montezuma campus security assist Ronda Hernandez Thomas said it's helped change her working life. "I am amazed," she said. "It solves problems. It cuts down the arguments."

Rochambeau has been used a lot during recesses in Stockton Unified the past two years. Montezuma campus security assist Ronda Hernandez Thomas said it's helped change her working life. "I am amazed," she said. "It solves problems. It cuts down the arguments."

Despite a substantial increase in federal support for subsidized child care, which has enabled some states to stave off cuts, others have trimmed support, and most have failed to keep pace with rising demand, according to poverty experts and federal officials. That has left swelling numbers of low-income families struggling to reconcile the demands of work and parenting, just as they confront one of the toughest job markets in decades.

Despite a substantial increase in federal support for subsidized child care, which has enabled some states to stave off cuts, others have trimmed support, and most have failed to keep pace with rising demand, according to poverty experts and federal officials. That has left swelling numbers of low-income families struggling to reconcile the demands of work and parenting, just as they confront one of the toughest job markets in decades.

The high number of seniors who live in residential care homes and experience depression is a health concern that demands greater attention, according to a new report. The Canadian Institute for Health Information gathered information about 50,000 seniors in nursing homes and similar residences and found that almost 45 per cent had symptoms of depression or were diagnosed with it.

The high number of seniors who live in residential care homes and experience depression is a health concern that demands greater attention, according to a new report. The Canadian Institute for Health Information gathered information about 50,000 seniors in nursing homes and similar residences and found that almost 45 per cent had symptoms of depression or were diagnosed with it.

The new cottage-style homes are the first of their kind in Western New York, and only the second in the state. The goal is to improve the quality of life for the elders cared for there. The Wegman Family Cottages consist of 4 houses with 20 private rooms per house. Each resident has his or her own room and bathroom.

The new cottage-style homes are the first of their kind in Western New York, and only the second in the state. The goal is to improve the quality of life for the elders cared for there. The Wegman Family Cottages consist of 4 houses with 20 private rooms per house. Each resident has his or her own room and bathroom.

People who battled depression, drug abuse and other psychological conditions as children see long-term effects—in their wallets. Adults who had mental health issues as kids are less likely to get married and will make about $10,400 less a year compared to siblings without psychological problems, says research just published in the journal Social Science & Medicine.

People who battled depression, drug abuse and other psychological conditions as children see long-term effects—in their wallets. Adults who had mental health issues as kids are less likely to get married and will make about $10,400 less a year compared to siblings without psychological problems, says research just published in the journal Social Science & Medicine.

At TAG Young Scholars, a citywide school in East Harlem for the talented and gifted, what goes on inside the classroom is praised by parents, but the aesthetics and facilities are, in a word, challenging. On a recent tour of the school, prospective kindergartners’ parents, many of whom live miles away, asked more questions about safety than curriculum.

At TAG Young Scholars, a citywide school in East Harlem for the talented and gifted, what goes on inside the classroom is praised by parents, but the aesthetics and facilities are, in a word, challenging. On a recent tour of the school, prospective kindergartners’ parents, many of whom live miles away, asked more questions about safety than curriculum.

All over the country, the financial crisis has forced states to make historic cuts to close what the National Conference of State Legislatures found was an overall budget gap of $174.1 billion this fiscal year and has lawmakers looking to trim another $89 billion next year. That means slashing services to the one population they've long protected: children.

All over the country, the financial crisis has forced states to make historic cuts to close what the National Conference of State Legislatures found was an overall budget gap of $174.1 billion this fiscal year and has lawmakers looking to trim another $89 billion next year. That means slashing services to the one population they've long protected: children.

Low-quality care in the first few years of life can have a small but long-lasting impact on a child's learning and behavior, according to new results from the largest, most authoritative assessment of child rearing in the United States. The federally funded study, which has been tracking more than 1,300 children since 1991, found that obedience and academic problems among those who received low-quality care in their first 4 1/2 years of life persisted through their 15th birthdays, suggesting the potential for lifelong difficulties.

Low-quality care in the first few years of life can have a small but long-lasting impact on a child's learning and behavior, according to new results from the largest, most authoritative assessment of child rearing in the United States. The federally funded study, which has been tracking more than 1,300 children since 1991, found that obedience and academic problems among those who received low-quality care in their first 4 1/2 years of life persisted through their 15th birthdays, suggesting the potential for lifelong difficulties.

A new study by the American Psychological Association finds that Latino children enter kindergarten with strong social and educational skills. Unfortunately, the study also found that Latino children are likely to lose those skills due to poor schooling and the bad neighborhood influences.

A new study by the American Psychological Association finds that Latino children enter kindergarten with strong social and educational skills. Unfortunately, the study also found that Latino children are likely to lose those skills due to poor schooling and the bad neighborhood influences.

On average, a seriously mentally ill person in the USA is three times more likely to be incarcerated than hospitalized, a report concludes today. In no state was a seriously mentally ill person—someone with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, for example—less likely to be incarcerated than hospitalized, the report by the National Sheriffs' Association and the Treatment Advocacy Center found.