As many as 59 percent of adolescents can identify a role model in their lives, according to research published in the January 2011 issue of the “Journal of Adolescent Health.” Of the adolescents with role models, those that looked to athletes were more likely to make positive health-related decisions. The fact is, not all athletes are positive role models. Unfortunately some athletes engage in negative behavior, but overall, the athletic lifestyle lends itself to a position of positive role modeling for adolescents.

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