Chances are you didn't jump rope with your children. You probably didn't head to The Hitter's Edge in Whitehall Township to take practice swings with your kids, either. And that's the heart of the problem.
Physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of heart disease.
Only 15 percent of the adults in the United States exercise hard enough to work up a sweat three times a week for 20 minutes, the amount the American Heart Association says is needed to be heart healthy. More people would rather sit in their recliners and read about heart disease than do anything to prevent it. The No. 1 reason is time,'' said Maeve McCaffrey, a spokeswoman for the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association. McCaffrey says memberships at fitness centers nationally are at an all-time high of about 25 million. People know it's good for them, but whether they choose to do it is personal.