A Response to the Youth Obesity Epidemic
Photo above: Children enjoy running with a wee bit of guidance by trusted adults (Saint Patricks Day Fun Run 2003 in Washington, DC).

The Richmond Sports Backers have launched the Fit For Life Program in an effort to promote the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle to elementary and middle school-aged students. The Sports Backers have developed an exercise program that motivates youth to become more physically active and allows them to build their self-confidence.

The Fit For Life Program will begin as a 9-week program in September and will include a similar program next spring. All levels of ability are welcome to participate in the Fit For Life program.

"We're all aware of studies documenting the increasing youth obesity problem in America," said Sports Backers Event Management Assistant Michelle Gordon, who is coordinating the program. "Fit For Life aims to tackle the dilemma head on. By working with the local school systems and introducing kids to the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle during their formative years, we hope to encourage and develop habits that will last a lifetime."

The Fit For Life Program will be offered through interested Elementary and Middle Schools in the Richmond Region. Teachers and administrators interested in offering the program at their school may visit www.sportsbackers.org for more information and instructions.

Elementary and middle school-aged participants will begin their respective programs on Monday, September 13. Elementary school- aged participants will work to complete a full marathon (26.2 miles) by accumulating their miles of running and/or walking over the course of the 9-week program, with the option of completing the final mile occurring at the Richmond Times- Dispatch Kids Run on November 13, 2004.

Middle school-aged participants will train three times a week by running and/or walking to build up to an 8K (4.97 miles) to be completed at the end of the 9-week program with the option of running their 8k at the NTELOS 8K on November 13, 2004.

Through tracking their progress along the way, students will receive incentives after certain benchmarks have been achieved. At the completion of their program, participants will receive a certificate.