Fit families

Ran on Thursday, July 5, 2007

Fit families
Unity Health and Fitness is offering a new summer program to help create ...

By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff

Childhood obesity is a growing problem, a result of the sedentary lifestyles some children lead today, along with poor eating habits.
In the past three decades, the incidence of childhood obesity has more than doubled in children aged 2 through 5 and 12 through 19. It also has more than tripled in children aged 6 through 11, according to the Environmental Health Perspectives, a publication of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Two summer interns at Unity Health and Fitness aim to combat the trend.
Janelle Schilter, 20, and Todd Lynnes, 24, kinesiology majors at UW-Eau Claire, organized a family-oriented program, CommUnity Night, to help kids and their parents be more active and learn about healthful eating.
Childhood obesity affects 25 percent of the U.S. population and can lead to diabetes or other chronic health problems, Schilter said.
The program promotes family weight training, stretching, strength and conditioning activities and nutrition education. Couples can train together while children ages 3 through 13 participate in Operation FitKids.
Operation FitKids encourages youngsters to partake in physical activities, including games such as relay races or tag.
Kids also learn about healthful snack choices, such as fruits and vegetables over candy bars and sodas, as well as portion control. But Lynnes noted, "We don't use scare tactics."
He said he thinks the media are telling children eating fast food alone will make them fat. While it's not the best option, they are not doomed.
Lynnes and Schilter stress people don't need to practice rigid lifestyle habits to be healthy. For example, people can enjoy calorie-loaded fast food in moderation, but they need to recognize that exercise is the way to compensate.
"When we were growing up, we would ride our bikes everywhere and play outside," Lynnes said. "Now, (children) use scooters and play video games."
The program focuses on how both physical activity and positive food choices are important in helping people become healthier.
It's not all work and no play. Each night has a different theme, ranging from the 1980s to golfing to Friday the 13th. Participants are encouraged to dress according to the theme.
Lynnes said he and Schilter want to offer the night as a healthful and inexpensive alternative to other family outings.
Movie tickets, concessions and dinner for a family of four runs about $60, Lynnes said.
For Unity members, the cost for the fitness night would be free for two adults and $15 for two children. Nonmembers would pay $35 for two adults to work out and two children to attend FitKids.
"It's a chance to get some exercise," Schilter said.
Schmidt can be reached at 833-9203, (800) 236-7077 or keighla.schmidt@ecpc.com.