The AHA reported May 13 on a study in which Michigan middle-schoolers were taught to make healthier food choices and exercise more. That is, of course, a laudable goal and we wish them the best of luck.

Among their other findings in following 593 students for four years, was a decline in resting pulse of 3 beats per minute, resting pulse being a good proxy for fitness. (In case you are keeping score at home, mine is 49.)

However, had these researchers been able to secure enough grant funding to access google, they might have observed that average resting pulse falls by that same rate during middle school anyway.

Still, it's good to know they are trying and we won't close with our usual sarcastic witticism at their expense. (That is a privilege we reserve for Mercer, Cigna, and other Intelligent Design Award winners who aren't working for the greater good.)

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