The waiting room is brimming with sniffles, small patients, and their parents on this typical Monday at Pediatrics Associates of Richmond in western Henrico County. But registered nurse Robin Allman takes time out to squeeze in an inter- view. That’s because the topic—youth obesity and fitness—matters to her.
“This is the first generation where there’s a real possibility that our children’s life expectancy could be less than their parents’,” warns Allman, who along with her RN status also is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner (CPNP).
Alarming increases in childhood obesity are leading to health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, that are putting children at risk. According to the National Institutes of Health, cases of childhood obesity have tripled in the United States in the past two decades, with 15 percent of American children and adoles- cents currently classified as obese or overweight.
“In many cases, the causes are simple and can be prevented,” Allman insists. “That’s the encouraging thing that parents need to know.”
Fortunately for local residents, Henrico County offers a wide range of options to help parents and other caretakers combat the problem of childhood obesity. The lines of defense start with the county’s outstanding youth sports facilities, such as the new $4.6 million Glen Allen Stadium at RF&P Park and Striker Park, which offers top-notch soccer facili- ties. It’s not surprising that such an agile area offers a variety of youth sports programs for kids of all ages and skill levels. There are programs for most sports you would expect, and some you might not, such as ice hockey, lacrosse, and triathlon training.
Sports are fun and help children on multiple levels—with their health, socialization, and self- confidence. But when children become obese, the experts say some extra effort is probably in order. “In most cases though, exercise is not enough.
Parents need to take a more complete approach to their children’s health,” stresses Dana Egan, a registered dietician who says she sees more and more overweight children in her practice. “The focus needs to be on exercise and nutrition. Behavior changes start with parents and trickle down to the kids. The most important thing I can tell parents is to remember that they are the gatekeepers.”
Parents looking for effective ways to get children off the couch will be glad to know about some innovative new programs popping up in Henrico specifically designed to combat childhood obesity. Two such healthy lifestyle programs are Fitwize 4 Kids and YMCA’s GirlForce, which go a step beyond exercise to include elements of education in nutrition and attitude to help boost self-esteem. Fitwize 4 Kids and YMCA GirlForce are excellent programs because they were launched by people who are passionate about the need to address youth health.
Fitwize 4 Kids, which opened in early 2008 in the Short Pump Crossing shopping center, is part of a California-based franchise that has 29 locations in 15 states, offering a chain of healthy lifestyle centers for kids and adolescents, ages 6 to 15. Local franchise owner Charisse Jacques was led to open the local center after researching youth fitness options. “I could see the problem so clearly. I knew there was just so much more we could be doing for our children,” she explains.
One proactive parent who endorses Fitwize, Felicia DiPaolo, found it’s not always easy to get the fitness help you need for your child. While scads of sports options are available, she says, “When I started looking for non-competitive fitness options for my son Parker, there was nowhere to go. When Fitwize opened in January, we were the first to sign up.”
Fitness sessions at the center combine a 45-minute resistance and cardiovascular training circuit with a healthy dose of nutrition trivia. All this is mixed in with plenty of kid-friendly rewards that help to motivate the youngsters. One look at the Fitwize facility and you can see the customized difference: The equipment is smaller and specially designed for kids’ bodies. Stuffed animals, T-shirts, and other motivational prizes are prominently displayed out front, much as they might be at an entertainment arcade. And the walls are covered with easy-to-read tips and reminders about healthy lifestyles and food choices.
