FIT KIDS Help Kids to Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

By Kirby Adams

Children who are overweight at age 12 are more likely to have trouble with their weight the rest of their lives. That statement holds extra meaning if you consider that, the number of children who are overweight is at an all time high. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says 16 percent of all children and teens in the United States are overweight. This first generation may not outlive their parents due to disease caused by obesity. However, get to kids with healthy information before 6 th grade and they can turn around unhealthy habits.

As a parent of a 9 and 7 year old, this information makes me a little nervous. Many of us try to lead by example but could our kids be missing the message? When they ask for pizza every night or beg to watch “just one more episode of Zack and Cody” [yes my kids know the word episode…that's troubling!] it gives you pause.

Dr. Chris Catt, a clinical psychologist and Amy Oetken a certified instructor of The Getting Kids Physically Active Program, have developed a program to help educate parents and kids. FIT-KIDS is an 8 weeks focused on helping the entire family make positive lifestyle changes and choices. Does your kid know how to read a food label? How about a recipe for a few healthy snacks like a fruit tart or smoothie? Is breakfast always a sugary cereal, have they ever tasted oatmeal?

During the 2-month course the parent and child lean about nutrition, make their own healthy snacks, taste new foods and take part in “fun” physical activity. Fit-Kids meet three times a week on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. In addition, parents you are required to show up and take part in the first session of each week. After all, it is hard enough as an adult to make changes, let alone if you are a child.

The family is also given a challenge each week so you are all in on it together. For instance, you may be asked to pledge as a family to eat five fruits and vegetables a day. Of course, no healthy lifestyle change is complete without adding a nice dose of activity. The program uses balls, hoola hoops and Frisbees. Amy Oetken uses a combination of the Getting Kids Physically Active program [University of Kentucky Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotions] and CATCH [coordinated Approach to Child Health]. The activities are designed to keep the kids moving. In a game of tag, the child who is tagged out doesn't just stand on the sideline; they do 3 jumping jacks and are back in the game. Everything is group oriented to eliminate any child feeling left out.

Then there is the emotional support component to the program. Each week Dr, Catts leads a 40 to 45 minute support group focusing on social skills and self esteem building. Kids will learn about friendship making skills, how to deal with feelings, alternatives to aggression and how to handle stress.

The purpose of Fit-Kids is to provide families the resources, education, and support they need to make healthy lifestyle changes. The very first session started on September 17th, and was offered to 30 families free of charge. Dr. Catts says; “we felt this was a good way to let the community know we really want to do something about the problem of childhood obesity”. While there will be a charge for future sessions, it will easily pay for itself with a lifetime of health.

Fit Kids is for third, fourth and fifth graders. It's held at the Medical Arts Building on Eastern Parkway in the Highlands . Classes are held on Sundays from 5-6:30 p.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more information contact Dr. Chris Catt or Amy Oetken 489 1789. aoetken@gmail.com

Kirby Adams is the consumer reporter for Kentuckiana's News Channel WHAS-11, Team Captain for Team Crusade and a sports and fitness buff. You can e-mail Kirby at kirby.adams@whas11.com. Kirby is also a member of Kentuckiana HealthFitness' Editorial Advisory Board.

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Kirby Adams
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