Fitness news from around the globe.

* Awakening the Spirit is a new program that focuses on raising awareness about diabetes among Native Americans. While the rate of diabetes in the general U.S. population is 5 percent, the rate among Native Americans ranges between 8 to 20 percent, depending on the tribe. The program stresses lifestyle changes, such as exercising more and improving eating habits.

* The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) has joined America's Promise - The Alliance For Youth as a commitment maker. Founded by retired Gen. Colin L. Powell, America's Promise is dedicated to mobilizing individuals, groups and organizations to build and strengthen our youth. A commitment maker pledges its time, funds and resources toward helping children.

As a commitment maker, SGMA has set these specific goals: to increase to at least 50 percent the proportion of children and adolescents in grades K-12 who participate in daily school physical education; to ensure that at least 50 percent of physical education class time is spent being physically active; and to help schools develop extracurricular or physical activity programs that offer developmentally appropriate activities - both competitive and noncompetitive.