Fat Kids Are Harder to Kidnap

Do I Have Your Attention Now?

Be honest. Does this tee shirt's graphic make you laugh? I found it on Google images. I have to admit, the first time I saw a t-shirt like this I chuckled. In the past I have been incredibly insensitive to fat kids. Not out loud, but in the quiet of my own mind. Why is it so easy to make fun of fat kids?

It's easy to snicker and point a finger so-to-speak at anyone who appears different, but over-fat kids are often victims of many varied circumstances that have contributed to their being overweight. And in addition to the food habits they have developed, their health is declining at an alarming rate. As if that's not bad enough, they are the brunt of jokes, ridicule, and prejudice.

Over the years I have worked with many overweight adults. Many have been heavy their entire lives. In their adult years the struggle to lose weight never goes away. I have come to see the child in them that learns to cope. I see what can happen to kids who grow up this way.

To me this T shirt is not funny. Not one bit. In fact, it's the complete opposite. It's message is cruel and insensitive. I just hope I never catch anyone wearing one. If I do, they will get one very unexpected "in your face" moment.

Many kids learn to compensate for their weight, but inside they hurt just like anyone else. Childhood obesity is a problem for all of us, because each one of us has the ability to behave in a way that can help or hinder an over-fat kid.

My business partner in youth fitness is Coach Todd Dattoli. Todd is about as passionate as one can be when it comes to coaching kids. He's a Youth Fitness Specialist through the IYCA (Int'l Youth Conditioning Association). Below is an excerp from one of Todd's articles. Please read and I think you might be surprised at just how bad childhood obesity is. And it's not just the USA either.

Take it away Todd! - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Obesity has become a worldwide problem. Childhood obesity has not only reached epidemic proportions worldwide but poses a serious risk to the health and longevity of children. The over-whelming reason for this global problem that researchers point to time and again is that children and teens are not getting
enough physical activity. This lack of exercise and poor eating habits has concomitantly caused a huge increase in fat mass for children worldwide, where in some countries such as the US, Australia, Canada and the UK childhood obesity has doubled or tripled in the last 10 years.

Here in the United States, children are supposed to get 150 minutes of exercise weekly during school hours, but no one really knows how many, if any, schools actually follow this recommendation. This information was published in JAMA in
July 2008 as well how the US Department of Agriculture proposed a standard of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. However, it appears obvious that so many youth are not meeting this standard and is a clear reason why children's weight has skyrocketed to epic proportions.

Consider this:

--> The prevalence of obesity among children ages 6-11 more than doubled in the past 26 years, going from 6.5% in 1980 to 17% in 2006.

--> The rate of obesity among children ages 12-19 more than tripled in that same time period, increasing from 5% to 17.6%.

--> Fewer than 25% of children in the U.S. get 30 minutes or more physical activity per day.

If this trend continues, we will be burying our children before they have a chance to fully realize their adult lives.

This may sound like a bold statement, but there is a saying that goes "you're as old as your arteries", which means that the condition your arteries are in is more important than your actual age within the evolution of heart disease or stroke.

Case in point is a recent research study conducted by the University of Missouri School of Medicine in which they presented their findings to the American Heart Association stating that obese kid's artery plaque is equal to that of a middle-aged adult. If a child of 13 already has the arteries of a 45 year old and is at such a high risk for heart disease at such a young age, what type of future will this child have? More importantly, will these children even live to see 45 years old if this horrid trend continues and we don't do more to prevent this from happening?

Pretty eye opening, don't you think?

This epidemic is compromising the long-term health and academic achievement of many children. Our youth fitness program, Play On! seeks to help reverse this trend by educating children about healthy food choices and physical activity. Play On! is a unique program that can help enhance children's wellness and give them the tools to live healthy lives!

So from now on, when ever you see an over weight child, don't be so quick to judge them. Don't be so quick to assume that he or she is fat just because they eat too much. There are so many reasons why this happens, it's impossible to know. Also, try to remember that they are just like you. They have feelings too, but unlike you they wear their challenge 24/7. They have to face reality every day and just learn to cope. The least we can do is not make it any more difficult for them.

Committed to your fitness success,


P.S. Please write your comments. Let us know what you think.

Youth Fitness Program Launches Oct 5th in Warren, NJ

Over the years I have been asked a hundred times or more from moms in Warren about offering a fitness program for their kids. But the logistics of creating a program are huge as it requires designing the "right" program, finding the right space and time, obtaining a facility, not to mention being effective. If you actually take the time to look around, it won't take you long to see that there are a lot of over weight kids. They are everywhere. This has been gnawing at me for over two years. A year ago I met a fellow NJ trainer at a fitness seminar in CT. His name is Todd Dattoli and he has been a certified Youth Fitness Specialist for several years. In addition, Todd is a nationally certified personal trainer and like myself runs his own company, Peak Conditioning Fitness in Far Hills, NJ. And also like me, Todd has been wanting to create the right program too. It only took us one meeting to get our main objectives on paper and within a few weeks "Play On! The After School Fitness Challenge" was created. We sent proposals to the Warren Board of Education, the elementary and middle school principals, Dr. Crisfield - the Superintendent, and the Business Administrator. I am happy to report that everyone loved our proposal and we have been given the opportunity to offer Play On as an "after school enrichment program" in the Warren district. http://healthyfitkids.com This initial program is for grades 4 through 8. Although any student can participate, we're looking to attract those students who aren't getting enough physical activity. Maybe they are academic or artistic in nature, or perhaps they are just spending too much time in front of a computer screen. Maybe they are over weight too. These are the students who don't participate in Rec Sports programs and even avoid athletics because they might feel inadequate. We want to create a place where these kids will feel like champions. Our mission is to get them to exercise through creative games. Through "play", they will get moving. The scope of the program introduces tools and equipment they won't use in PE. They will be encouraged, inspired, motivated, and challenged to use their imagination to ultimately create their own games. You see, we are not only looking to get them moving in the present. - We want them to feel good about themselves and to get moving on their own. - We want them to get excited about having fun so that they begin to change their habits and get outdoors on their own and actively pursue physical activity. - We want them to develop confidence in their physical abilities so that they don't feel socially inept. -We want them to associate healthy eating with exercise and having fun. Please go to our website at healthyfitkids.com and look through the program description. Warren Parents, We Need Your Help This program is in it's infancy, but the knowledge education and passion behind it has over twenty years of combined experience in education, fitness, nutrition, and coaching. The Warren schools are supporting the program, but are limited in their ability to get the word out to parents. They have allowed us to use Woodland School and to place fliers in the school offices, but we want to also notify as many parents as possible which is why I am writing to you. I truly want to help kids begin to get the right message at an early age so that as they grow, they make better choices and live healthier lives. It doesn't happen over night, but we have to plant the seeds so-to-speak. We have to start the process and reverse the trend that is sweeping across our nation. We've got more technology, more diet programs, more self help books, more gyms, more health food stores than ever and we are fatter than ever. It's just crazy! We have to start at the beginning and that is with our kids. So if you or someone you know has kids who could benefit from this program, please direct them (and yourself) to our website where you can register online. The program begins on Monday Oct 5th. We've only got room for 50 students, so please don't sit on this. Registration forms and tuition must be received by Sunday October 4th. You can drop them off at the Woodland School by Friday Oct 2nd in the office, or get them to me personally. If you need help, please let me know. If you have any questions, please call or email me directly. With gratitude, P.S. This is not just for Warren kids. PLAY ON is for all kids! http://healthyfitkids.com