An ancient Chinese proverb reads, "Dig the well before you are thirsty." Applying that wisdom to the current American obesity problem, the saying might read: "Change your lifestyle before you are dead."

Obesity - often defined as being more than 30 percent over one's ideal body weight - matters because obese people are at a heightened risk of developing many serious medical problems including heart disease, stroke, type two or non-insulin dependent diabetes, sleep apnea and various types of cancer. [Read article]

Summer enrollement down, costs up

Summer school has always had a somewhat negative stigma attached to it: Some have said it's for athletes, people who failed during the semester, or people who can't handle more than a few classes at a time.

Still, more than 10,000 students each summer fill UA classrooms for presession and first and second summer sessions. Students can take as many as 15 credits, the equivalent of a full semester. [Read article]

Football team needs wins, not ethics

This is in response to Tom Knauer's column about Mike Stoops being too easy on players that have been arrested.

Our football team has been terrible. We need to turn the corner. If you want to see model citizens that suck at football, transfer to Duke or Harvard.

If you want our team to get better, let Stoops run the show.

The most dominant team in college football over the last 20 or more years has been the Miami Hurricanes. They're there to play football, not to sing in the choir. Bennie Blades, Ray Lewis, Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp, Najeh Davenport, Sean Taylor, Antrel Rolle, Jamaal Green, Jerome McDougle, Willie Williams ... all have been arrested for everything from possessing marijuana (Sapp) to being charged with murder (Lewis). [Read article]