383-pound eighth-grade athlete's death revives heart testing debate

ST. LOUIS — An obese eighth-grader's death during a football conditioning lap has revived the debate over testing of children's hearts before they engage in sports or strenuous activity.

Anthony Troupe Jr. collapsed last week on a suburban St. Louis football field before he even finished running a lap before practice.

The 13-year-old known as "Big Ant" for his 6 feet 2 inch, 383-pound body was pronounced dead at a local hospital an hour later.

The cause of death won't be available for several weeks pending test results. But the boy's weight, heart and family history are suspect. The boy's father collapsed and died at age 45 in April 2007 from heart disease.