Swimming is an enjoyable aerobic activity that can help children develop strength, flexibility, and endurance. A 1991 study found that the hundreds of thousands of young people enrolled in organized swim programs throughout the United States are thinner, stronger, and in better health than their nonswimming peers in a nation where 34% of children are reportedly overweight and up to half do not receive enough aerobic exercise to maintain adequate cardiovascular fitness. Participation in swimming programs also promotes self-discipline and responsibility and develops regular exercise habits that can benefit children throughout their lives. Swimming is especially well-suited for children because it results in fewer injuries than any other sport. It takes place in a safe environment and does not place undue stress on growing tendons, joints, and bones. The rhythmic breathing and lung expansion involved in swimming provide relief for children with asthma, and swimming can be an important form...