VOL. 6, NO. 13
APR. 2, 1965

Teenagers Pegged As 'Unphysically Fit'
"American teenagers are the weakest in the world, and that's one heck of a situation to be in now. How do you prepare boys for Viet Nam-with square dancing and little games? American girls are suffering even more than boys," says Miss Bonnie Prudden, head of the Institute of Physical Fitness, White Plains, New York.

Miss Prudden states that if you don't do something about the shape you're in, no one will. She blames American parents and the American school system for the poor physical condition of teenagers. The automobile and TV centered society also contribute to youth's flabby muscles.

Being resigned to having herself regarded as some kind of nut, Miss Prudden advocates, "Keep twisting, kids. It's the best thing you've done for yourselves in 15 years."
 The source of our trouble, she believes, is that some halfwit in an ivory lean-to decided that children get healthy just playing and don't need training. "This might be true if we let them play naturally, but we don't," commented Miss Prudden. "Mothers stop the kids from climbing trees and tumbling; the schools put them on teams of 18 where they do not get anywhere near enough time to be active."

American girls are suffering even more than boys, the physical fitness director says. "When I look over the attendance record of school gym classes for girls, I can only conclude that most of them are sick 365 days of the year."

(The Westerner will welcome comments from students or teachers on Miss Prudden's views.)