Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Las Vegas named fattest U.S. city NEW YORK, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Las Vegas has been named the fattest city in the United States in Men's Fitness magazine's "Ninth Annual Fattest and Fittest Cities in America Report." Advertisement The survey analyzed data including how much exercise people get, how healthy they eat and how much time they spend sitting in traffic. San Antonio was named second-fattest, followed by Miami. The report showed that in Las Vegas, seven out of 10 residents are so physically inactive that doctors say they are putting their health at risk. The survey said the fittest cities in the United States are Albuquerque, Seattle and Colorado Springs, Colo. Some video games valued for education CHICAGO, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Research in the United States suggests certain video and computer games can aid children in their educational development. The Chicago Tribune reported on the research, in which experts cite role-playing and simulation games as boosting vocabulary, reasoning and social skills. Advertisement Some have even suggested supplanting much of the traditional K-12 curriculum with a new generation of game-based lessons to accommodate the increasingly short attention spans of today's youth. "Right now in American schools we spend most of the first six or seven years of math education teaching kids to do what a 99-cent calculator does," said David Williamson Shaffer, an education professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and author of "How Computer Games Help Children Learn." The Tribune reported that high on the list of educationally beneficial games are Civilization, in which players create a historically accurate civilization, and Zoo Tycoon, in which players run a zoo, choosing animals and even managing a budget. Some educators are skeptical, saying the educational benefits of video and computer games are much over-hyped. Churches worship to music of U2 CHICAGO, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Christian churches in the United States are increasingly celebrating the Eucharist with the music of Irish rock band U2. In what is known as a U2charist, traditional hymns are replaced with U2 songs such as "Pride," "Gloria" and "Mysterious Ways" -- partly to get young people excited about coming to services, the Chicago Tribune reported. Advertisement The concept was developed in 2005 by an Episcopal priest in Maine, who has since reportedly advised about 300 churches worldwide. The priest, Rev. Paige Blair, said the music is suited for church audiences because of the way the lyrics combine biblical themes with a message to help those in need around the world. Also, Blair pointed out that because U2's music spans three decades, multiple generations can easily relate to it. U2's music has had a religious focus from the beginning, but the band is set apart because of its ability to attract fans of all faiths, the newspaper said. Bicyclists protest Chicago Auto Show CHICAGO, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Bicyclists gathered in protest over the weekend outside Chicago's McCormick Place, where the 99th Chicago Auto Show was taking place. Protesters dressed as polar bears and held up signs that said "True Patriots Don't Burn Oil" and "Be a Hero: Drive Less," the Chicago Tribune reported. "We feel there are enough cars in Chicago," said protest organizer Dan Korn. "You can't get away from the sights, smells and sounds. And here comes the auto show glorifying it." The Chicago Auto Show is the largest such showcase in North America. For the past eight years, Critical Mass, a group of bicycling activists, has protested the show. Advertisement Despite cold and windy temperatures, bicyclists from around the Chicago area gathered and chanted "no thank you" to the products being marketed inside.
