WASHINGTON (AP) -- If girls want to grow up to be successful,theymust not only work hard, but play even harder.
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports saidrecently that female high-school athletes tend to get better gradesand are less likely to drop out than their nonathletic counterparts.They also are likely to go on to college and develop fewer chronichealth problems, like heart disease and high cholesterol.
Donna Shalala, the secretary of health and human services, citedthe report today in Cincinnati as she encouraged girls to get moreinvolved in sports.Research shows that girls who participate in physical activitiesusually are more mentally fit and have developed social skillseasierthan those less active, she said.'The good news is, today, more girls are getting into the gamethan ever before,' Shalala said in prepared remarks. The task ismade easier by the fact the list of female role models continues togrow, she said, referring to U.S. women's softball and basketballteams, which won Olympic gold medals last summer.Shalala encouraged parents, teachers and coaches to createadditional recreational programs that will foster interest in girls.She also warned them to stop the spread of negative stereotypes thatmay hinder girls from participating
