Not only are kids fatter these days, they're aerobically less healthy — worldwide.

Researchers at the University of South Australia reviewed 50 studies involving 25 million children ages 9 to 17 in the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia, and found that children now take 90 seconds longer to run a mile than kids just 30 years ago. General aerobic fitness has declined an estimated 5 percent since 1975.

The researchers say increased body weight explains 30 to 70 percent of the reduced aerobic performance, but they also blamed a general lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyles. Health authorities in the U.S. say children should get at least 60 minutes of active play each day, but estimate only one-third actually do.

BODY OF KNOWLEDGE

A single strand of normal, healthy human hair can support 3.5 ounces, or about the weight of two full-sized candy bars.

LIFE IN BIG MACS

One hour of laying tile or linoleum burns 306 calories (based on a 150-pound person), or the equivalent of 0.4 Big Macs.

COUNTS

25 million — number of people who die each year from contaminated water. That's roughly the population of Canada, or one person dying every eight seconds.

Source: "Troubled Water" by Anita Roddick (2004)

PHOBIA OF THE WEEK

Chromophobia — fear of bright colors

NEVER SAY DIET

The Major League Eating speed-eating record for birthday cake is 5.5 pounds in eight minutes and 59 seconds, held by 120-pound Matt Stonie, who, it should be noted, achieved the record this year on his 21st birthday.

HYPOCHONDRIAC'S GUIDE

Astasia-abasia is a neurological condition in which the person is unable to either stand or walk in a normal manner. Instead, they tend to lurch wildly in all directions, but fall only when a physician, family member or soft object will catch them.

EPITAPHS

"Don't try." — German-born American poet Charles Bukowski (1920-1994). The phrase comes from one of Bukowski's thousands of poems and refers to the pursuit of creativity. Later, he said one must wait for inspiration. "And if nothing happens, you wait some more. It's like a bug high on the wall. You wait for it to come to you. When it gets close enough you reach out, slap it and kill it. Or if you like its looks, you make a pet out of it."

To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.