{"id":15999,"date":"2013-08-21T02:08:51","date_gmt":"2013-08-21T02:08:51","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-10-15T13:37:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T13:37:09","slug":"jeremy-lin-encourages-kids-to-become-more-physically-active","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/?p=15999","title":{"rendered":"Jeremy Lin encourages kids to become more physically active"},"content":{"rendered":"

Houston Rockets guard Jeremy Lin joined the U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan, both of whom had been Harvard University’s basketball team captain, to play with and read to about 250 students in Washington D.C. as a part of the \u201cLet\u2019s Read, Let\u2019s Move\u201d program on Aug. 1, 2013.<\/strong> NFL player Brian Mitchell and actor Hill Harper participated as well.<\/p>\n

Lin and the other guest stars read \u201cWhere the Wild Things Are\u201d and \u201cThe Day the Crayons Quit\u201d to the children, then ran outside to play basketball and other games with them.<\/strong> Their hope was to show the kids how fun physical activity can be, in a day and age when many children live sedentary lifestyles and would prefer to be inside on the computer or playing video games than outdoors.<\/p>\n

According to the American Heart Association, obesity rates are five times higher than they were forty years ago.<\/strong> There are an estimated 12.7 million obese children in America, most of whom come from low-income, low-education households. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that those who are physically active have a lower risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. Studies have also shown that physical activity can improve academic performance and can help keep aging minds sharp.<\/p>\n

While Jeremy Lin admits that he still plays video games, his utilization of both brains and brawn is a unique and admirable lifestyle.<\/strong> His athletic prowess may inspire children with above-the-norm intelligence to become more physically active, and hopefully young athletes will be encouraged to model their study habits after the Harvard graduate.<\/p>\n