That front-page piece on teen bodybuilding in the Tampa Tribune last Sunday was as informative as it was disturbing. Who knew there were at least eight Hillsborough and Pasco County public schools that held annual novice bodybuilding contests?
Sure, teen obesity is a major health concern, and too many kids lead sedentary, empty-caloric lives. And, alas, serial texting now qualifies as a physical activity. But do you address it by sponsoring teen-preen, narcissism contests that can easily sow the seeds for poor nutritional choices, crash dieting, extreme dehydration and steroid seduction among the physiologically immature?
Whatever happened to working in a salad and doing some exercises? Or is that too uncool and quaint a concept – right there with deferred gratification?