Obesity(肥胖) in children and adolescents is rising at an alarming rate. Currently over 15% of young people over 6 years old are obese, and obesity is also increasing among children aged 5 and younger.

Children are considered to be overweight if the BMI(Body Mass Index) is over 85% of the weight group in their age and sex categories. If it is 95% and over, they are considered to be obese. Adolescents are generally judged according to adult criteria(标准) for obesity, although there are other considerations in this population, for many factors will affect the result of these measurements.

Causes and Risk Factors for Obesity in Children

Lifestyle Factors. Without educational or parental guidance, children are extremely greatly exposed to the cultural pressures that are largely responsible for growth of the obesity. Neither the media nor the educational system has strong programs that encourage healthy way of life, including exercise and healthy foods. The following are some specific problems created by the culture:

﹡Too much television watching plays an important role in obesity in children. Not only is it a passive activity, but television also offers countless temptations(诱惑) with its advertisements for fast foods, sugar cereals, and unhealthy snacks. In one study obesity rate were lowest in children who watched television one hour or less a day and highest in those who watched four or more hours.

﹡Sugar, particularly from soda, other sweet drinks, and fruit juice, may be major contributors to childhood obesity. One study reported that drinking soda regularly increases a child’s risk for obesity by 60%.

﹡Less physical exercise and greater sitting activities play another significant role in obesity in children. A high level of physical activity – not just using up energy – is important for weight control in young people.

Family History. Parental obesity more than doubles the risk that a young child, whether thin or overweight, will become obese as an adult. In older children and teenagers, obesity in parents starts to affect less as a predictor(预言) for body weight than their own weight. The risk may be due to environmental or genetic factors, or both.

Ethnic and Socioeconomic Factors. As in adult populations, children from lower socioeconomic groups and minority populations are at higher risk for obesity. For example, among young Mexican Americans and African Americans, there has been an increase in overweight trend of about 13% to over 23%.

69.What’s the main idea of the passage? ______________.

A. The trend of obesity                B. Causes of obesity

C. Fight against obesity                D. Obesity in children

70.How many main factors leading to obesity in children are mentioned?

A. 2              B. 3                C. 4                 D. 5

71.According to the passage, which of the following children is most likely to be obese?

A. A 5-year-old child whose parents are overweight.

B. A 16-year-old teenager whose parents are obese.

C. A child who watches TV one hour per day.

D. A child who take regular exercise.

72.Which of the following is NOT true?

A. Parents should give some guidance on healthy lifestyles.

B. Watching TV four hours a day will surely lead to obesity in children.

C. Children from minority populations are more likely to be obese.

D. Children should take more physical exercises.

Many children first learn the value of money by receiving an allowance. Parents often give their children an amount of money that they may spend as they wish. The purpose is to let the children learn from experience at an early age when financial mistakes are not very costly.

    A child may receive an allowance each week or each month. The amount is not so important.  But parents should make clear what the child is expected to pay for with the money.

At first, young children may spend all of their allowance soon after they receive it. If they do this, they will learn the hard way that spending must be done within a budget. Parents should not offer more money until the next allowance is to be given.

    Older children may be responsible enough to budget larger costs like those for clothing. The object is to show young people that a budget demands choices between spending and saving.

    Many people who have written on the subject say it is not a good idea to pay your child for work around the home. These jobs are a normal part of family life. Paying children to do extra work around the home, however, can be useful. It can even provide an understanding of how a business works.

    Allowances give children a chance to experience three things they can do with money. They can share it in the form of gifts or giving it to organizations. They can spend it by buying things they want. Or they can save it.

    Saving helps children understand that costly goals require sacrifice: you have to cut costs and plan for the future. Requiring children to save part of their allowance can also open the door to future saving and investing. Many banks offer free savings accounts for young people with small amounts of money.

1.The functions of allowances given to children are the following EXCEPT ______.

A. they can save more money for their future business

B. they can give them to charities

C. they may spend them on what they like

D. they can learn to deal with money

2.The underlined word "sacrifice" in the last paragraph means "_____".

A. 牺牲                 B. 计划                C. 选择        D. 放弃

3.What's the main idea of the passage?

A. Children should save part of their allowance.

B. Don’t pay your child for work around the home.

C. Allowance helps teach children early about money.

D. Parents should allow children to spend money as they wish.

4.How many advantages of saving has the passage mentioned?

A. 2                     B. 3                        C. 4          D. 5

5.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Children are advised to buy anything they wish to with the allowance.

B. Parents should offer children more money if they spend all of their allowance soon after they get it.

C. It can be useful to pay children to do extra work around the home.

D. It is unnecessary for the children to save part of the allowance.