Los Angeles Times: Exergames such as Wii Fit actually do provide a workout, according to two recent studies. Researchers still encourage outdoor play, but say these games are a good alternative to sedentary activities.
‘nPlay Athletes: Why we joined
March 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
SHANNON MILLER-Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast
“As a board member, I believe in the mission of nPLAY and I’m excited to join other great athletes in the fight against childhood obesity. Our goal is to develop and implement programs that will provide children with the opportunity to have a more physically active lifestyle.
Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term health impacts. Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, and an increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem. Obese youth are more likely than youth of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.
At the moment, statistics on childhood obesity show that one in five children is diagnosed with obesity and this trend is increasing, regardless of ethnicity or social status. The rising obesity phenomenon has become the biggest problem that pediatric doctors face at the moment in the US.
The Good News is that healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases.
Let’s work together to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity through the education and promotion of healthy lifestyle choices for children!”
JOHNNY WEIR- US Olympic Ice Skater
At 12 I discovered my passion for Figure Skating. Being active in a sport I love helped me to develop a healthy lifestyle. I believe that participation in sports is a great way for kids today to stay healthy and learn life lessons as well.
My advice for all young kids out there is to be active, find something you love and just get out there and do it! I am proud to support nPLAY Foundation and their fight against childhood obesity.
KARINA PETRONI- Professional Surfer
‘nPLAY is the kind of organization I have been looking to be a part of for a very long time. Child obesity is spreading throughout the country far too quickly. It is detrimental to children’s lives, their mental happiness, as well as the way they approach life. As a child growing up in public elementary schools, my mother (who was also a teacher) quickly realized how poor the food in the cafeteria was and began making me homemade lunches. Not only do we need to educate the schools about healthier alternatives and a more active lifestyle, but we need to educate the children as well, and extend this education to the families of these children.
I take particular interest in this issue as my niece attends a public elementary school that is controlled by their county school board. The school itself has little to no part in the nutritional options. My sister works there and sees first-hand what poor selections they have and how few healthy alternatives they offer. There are hundreds of school districts across the United States that have signed marketing contracts giving exclusivity to large food and beverage companies in exchange for extra cash for their school. My niece’s school has a contract with one particular soft drink and is not allowed to serve anything but that name brand product at school events. I would love to see the school board educated about the consequences of poor food choices and see what a difference offering healthy alternatives can make.
I am continually surprised to see the youth of this country, our future leaders, lacking such vital education and opportunity regarding health and nutrition. As an athlete, health is extremely important to me. I put heavy emphasis on educating myself on the realities of the food industry, as well as the marketing ploys that only worsen the issue every day. It is my hope that, together with the ‘nPLAY Foundation, we can work to expose the truth to people everywhere, regardless of their socio-economic status. In doing so, we aim to lower the rate of childhood obesity by educating both schools and families, and eventually we will see the results cascading into a healthier America.
MADDY SHAFFRICK-Professional Snowboarder
I joined ‘nPLAY because they encourage fitness and good health, which are both very important parts of my life and I believe these are important for everyone. Having good fitness and health can give someone a sense of self-accomplishment and I want everyone to have the opportunity to feel that. ‘nPLAY can help give kids that opportunity.
SARAH HASKINS-Olympic Triathlete
Ever since I was a young girl, I was encouraged to get outside and play tag, run around barefoot in the summers and roller skate in the neighborhood. My love for keeping my body moving developed into a love for swimming and running cross country and track in high school. Now, staying healthy and fit is my job as a professional triathlete. The foundation for my current profession began back as a little girl, being exposed to love of sports. I remember setting a goal time in the mile run during gym class back in second grade. It saddens me that many gym programs are being cut in our schools, not to mention that children are moving their bodies less today than ever before. As a child, exercise not only set the foundation for a healthy body into adulthood, but also helped me to excel in the classroom. It is proven that children will have better academic achievements when they are involved in sports and exercise outside of the classroom. Even as a young child, just getting the students outside moving every day will have dramatic benefits in academic achievement. In addition to increasing academic success, participating in sports is one of the best avenues children can learn the fundamentals of goal setting. I vividly remember training to break the six minute mile in the sixth grade and the feeling of triumph crossing that finish line three seconds under the six minute mark. Learning how to set, work towards and achieve goals is a fundamental skill for life whether it is with work-related, personal, or athletic goals. In addition, respecting our bodies by keeping fit and healthy brings out the best in each and every one of us. Self-esteem, self-worth, drive and motivation will all improve with exercise and activity. When I heard about ‘nPLAY, I was excited to learn about a foundation striving to reduce childhood obesity – I want to be part of the plan and give young children the opportunities that I had as a child. Every state, school district and child can be reached through education programs about physical activity and the joy in getting our bodies moving!
MARIE FERDINAND-HARRIS-WNBA Basketball Player
My name is Marie Ferdinand-Harris and I am a nine-year veteran of the WNBA and three-time WNBA All-Star. I am currently a free agent, having played the past three seasons for the Los Angeles Sparks. As a professional athlete and proud mother of my four-year-old son Cedrick, understand the importance of healthy eating and helping others learn how to eat healthy. I work with kids all the time at my basketball academy, the Marie Ferdinand-Harris Basketball School of Excellence, and always try and set the best example in regards to healthy living. I joined ‘nPLAY to help this foundation prevent and fight childhood obesity. This peer-to-peer movement provides the perfect opportunity for me to take initiative and work with other professional athletes to really help fight this major issue which I already feel so passionate about.
MECHELLE LEWIS-US Olympic Track and Field Star
The ‘nPlay Foundation is the tangible form of my passion. Physical activity is the way I found my escape thinking back to the earliest moment I can remember. I took my first steps at the premature age of 7 months; I was on the playground playing hop scotch, jumping double dutch, climbing monkey bars and swimming in the pools, creeks and lakes during my adolescent summers. Stagnation only cripples. Movement supports learning, builds energy and creates creativity. It was in the moments of being active where I found my freedom as a child; where I found my ability to exercise my mind, body, and spirit. It’s this feeling of freedom that I want every child to grab hold off. This is why advocating against childhood obesity is important to me.
Becoming a part of ‘nPlay was important so I could give back what gave me the ability to experience my biggest smiles and my sweetest victories. Physical education and physical activity are vital for America’s youth. In low income areas where the rates of childhood obesity are even higher, children need ambassadors as a voice to lobby for their equal opportunity to live healthy lives. Not only am I fighting for the opportunity to provide physical education programs for our youth, but I am fighting for their chance to experience the total freedom you find in a healthy lifestyle. Now everyone deserves a chance at that.
JAMES WILKS-MMA Fighter
Why I teamed up with ‘nPlay.
I moved to the USA in June of 2000. I came to study martial arts. My original plan was to stay for six months, absorb as much training, wisdom and culture as I could and then go back to England. I loved my experience and decided to extend my stay. At some point that extension became permanent. For me this really has been the land of opportunity and I feel that I truly am living the American dream. Being a professional Athlete every aspect of my life is geared toward becoming the best that I can be. As a result I took it upon myself to learn about nutrition. I feel very fortunate for the opportunities that I have been given in life and wanted to give something back. Children are the future and if I can help motivate, educate and inspire them to be healthy I will feel a great sense of achievement.
Nutrition is not a topic that is widely addressed in schools and parents want to give their kids the best but don’t always know themselves what is healthy. In addition I have recently become a parent. Obviously we as parents need to plant the seed early as to not develop bad eating habits in our children. As children grow up I feel that is important that they have the knowledge themselves so that they can make better choices. There are plenty of food choices that are both tasty and nutritious. Exercise is fun, a great way to socialize and has a positive impact on childrens’ lives. A balance of good nutrition and exercise will lead to healthier, happier kids. Join me in keeping kids eating well and keeping active. Get involved with nPlay.
‘nPlay Foundation-It’s About The Athletes
February 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
By Eric Cohen
Over the past three years I’ve been asked countless times how and why ‘nPlay was started? The short version is that one night several years ago I was watching a segment on CNN about childhood obesity. When the segment finished I changed the channel to the Yankees game. (Yes, I am a diehard fan). As I watched the game, it dawned on me that the athletes of the sports world had never united for any one cause before. It was very common in the entertainment industry, but not sports. I thought there would be an amazing synergy between professional athletes and the obesity cause. That was the moment of inspiration.
Why childhood obesity? I wasn’t heavy as a child and I’m not heavy as an adult. I have always played sports and been athletic from the time I was a child up until this very day. I feel fortunate to say that no one close to me had an extreme weight problem that caused them health issues either. I simply saw something that was hurting our children and at the time, no one was doing anything about. I thought we could make a difference. Who better than athletes to help change the culture and inspire children, parents and teachers to eat healthier and be more active? People of all ages admire athletes because of what they accomplish on the field.
The second reason was part frustration. I worked for 15 years in the entertainment business. I constantly saw musicians and actors raise hundreds of millions of dollars for people half way across the globe. While I applauded their work, it silently led me to ask, “What about our kids”? Who is stepping up to help them? I thought that if I could make even a small difference then I would never do anything more important in my life.
That being said, this organization isn’t about me, Mike, Scott or Steve, my co-founders. We are just the people that are here to do the work. It’s really about the 35 athletes that have joined ‘nPlay and generously given their time, energy and reputations. They aren’t being paid a penny and it is their passion to be part of the solution that drives them. Many of them are already working in their communities beyond what they do with ‘nPlay. Our Chairperson, Jennie Finch, was one of the first two athletes to join and has been nothing short of phenomenal. She actively tries to raise funds, does press and has recruited other athletes while spreading the message every time she teaches her softball clinics. Paul Pierce has his own non-profit, “Truth on Health”. The work he does with Fit Club 34 is impressive and his dedication is something I wish we could duplicate and spread to athletes across this country. Shannon Miller, the most decorated Olympic Gymnast in US history, has her own non-profit and she puts on her own children’s marathon in Jacksonville. Former All-Pro Miami Dolphins Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain run Aero Athletics in Southern Florida. Aero Athletics is an afterschool program for children with nowhere to go once the school day ends. They provide 1:15 minutes of physical activity and 45 minutes of tutoring from certified teachers. They are so dedicated; you will find them working with the children every day. Former NBA Star, Kenny Anderson, runs basketball and exercise clinics in three 24 Hour Fitness Gyms in Florida. Sixteen year old snowboarder, Maddy Shaffrick, has committed to speaking and working in high schools so the students will have one of their peers to relate to.
That is just a small sample of what the athletes are accomplishing both with ‘nPlay and on their own. Joined by a phenomenal group of educators, doctors and fitness professionals, ‘nPlay, is first and foremost, a team. To us, the word “team” has special significance. No one accomplishes anything alone in sports and even in individual sports athletes have coaches, trainers, managers and agents. We don’t believe we are the solution; we are part of the team that will help to bring about the solution by working with schools and local organizations within needy communities.
Over the coming days, weeks and months our athletes, educators, doctors and fitness professionals will write blogs which will be posted on our website. I will continue to tell our story and the stories of our athletes and partners who continue to do great work. I hope that our site and blog will become a destination that you find entertaining yet educational and inspirational. And most importantly, I hope you will support and join the team that ‘nPlay has created and the goal which we are trying to achieve.
Fight Childhood Obesity When They’re Newborns
February 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Childhood obesity ranged from 23 to 44 percent in 2007, depending on the state of residence. Those rates were 10 percent higher than they were in 2003. So, it is not surprising that public health and pediatricians, among others, are investigating many ways to control what has reached epidemic proportions.
Jennie Finch
February 8, 2011 By 1 Comment
Jennie Finch
The most well known member in the world of Softball, Jennie Finch has served as a role model for young women throughout the world not only for her on field performance and sportsmanship but how she conducts herself off of it.
A Gold Medal pitcher from the 2004 Olympic team, Jennie was a 3 time All-American and Player of the Year winner while playing in college for the Arizona Wildcats. Once offered a lucrative contract to appear nude for Playboy magazine, she commented that she would “rather be a role model for young girls.” She spends a lot of time teaching clinics to young girls, and working with the Cal Ripken Sr. Organization and The National Child Safety Education Program.
Child obesity linked to formula, early start on solids
February 7, 2011 By 1 Comment
A new study sheds light on ways to fight childhood obesity — before infants are even out of the cradle
 Enlarge |
BananaStock/Getty Images |
 |
|
| A new study links childhood obesity and the introduction of solid foods to bottle-fed babies before the age of 4 months. | |
By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY
A new study sheds light on ways to fight childhood obesity — before infants are even out of the cradlA new study sheds light on ways to fight childhood obesity — before infants are even out of the cradlee
Grant Hill
February 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Grant Hill
Board of Directors
Grant Hill is more than just a professional basketball player. However, it is not only Hill’s on-court play making and talent that impresses people. It’s also his off-court personality that truly makes him transcend beyond the court. Hill’s strong work ethic, humble and gracious attitude, academic achievements, and strong family ties combined with his overwhelming success and good sportsmanship on the court, makes him a perfect choice for a role model. Although many athletes shy away from being labeled as a role model, Hill embraces the idea. Off the court, he tries to lead by setting positive examples.
He has said that the adulation society showers upon its athletes obliges him to use his influence for good. Hill’s concerns vary in scope. He lends his support not only to a variety of national issues but to local issues as well. Hill was recently awarded a key to the city of Reston, Virginia, where he was raised with the proceeds from that reception going to the Medical Care for Children Partnership, which provides medical services for needy children in the county. Hill also appeared on behalf of Foot Locker and Fila, at a Detroit middle school to kick-off a program designed to replace backboards in 250 area schools. In addition, GMC Trucks sponsored Hill’s visit to the Michigan Special Olympics Women’s basketball team where he spoke, joked, and shot baskets with the players.
At Duke, Hill volunteered for the Read with the Blue Devil’s literacy program. In 1993, he served as the Co-Chairperson of Durham’s Project Graduation, which promoted a drug and alcohol-free graduation party for high school students.
Nutritional overhaul ordered for schools
February 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
February 6, 2011
By Lisa Singleton-Rickman
Staff Writer-TimesDaily.com
The federal government has spoken: The nation’s school cafeterias will have to hold the fries, serve up more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and cut sodium.
And that’s just the start of the changes in the first major nutritional overhaul of school meals in 15 years.
Natasha Watley
February 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Natasha Watley
Whether it be years of playing travel ball from a very young age or an illustrious professional career which includes taking home a gold medal from the 2004 Olympics and a silver medal from the 2008 Olympics, Natasha Watley has proven that she has mastered softball on every level.
During the 2004 Olympics, Watley assisted the US Softball team in winning their third consecutive gold medal in Athens by breaking the Olympic record for stolen bases. She was also third on the team with a .400 batting average with 9 hits and 10 RBI’s. During the 2008 Olympics Watley hit .321 in the leadoff position with 2 home runs and 6 RBI’s.
Internationally, Watley is a two time Pan American gold medalist (2003 & 2007), two-time World Champion (2002 & 2006) and a three time World Cup champion (2006, 2007 & 2009).
As a four time All American shortstop, Watley led her UCLA softball team to three straight women’s college World Series and the NCAA Division 1 softball championship title in 2003. She was awarded the Honda-Broderick cup for top female collegiate athlete, as well as PAC 10 Player Of The Year, in 2003. In 2003, she was a starter for the Bruins and finished top three in career hits (395), top five in career runs (252), top ten in career average (.450), and top 10 in career stolen bases (158). Watley holds the single season record for hits (112) and currently ranks fourth in Pac-10 history; as well as seventh on the all-time NCAA record books with 112 hits in a single season.
In Watley’s high school years she was named second team Louisville Slugger All-American. She hit (.445) over her last three seasons of high school softball, in addition to stealing over 20 bases each season.
Though she was a superstar on the softball field, Watley managed to balance her education, and graduated with a Bachelors Degree of Sociology and a minor of Afro American studies from UCLA in 2003. Currently she is working on her Master’s Degree in Business from Saint Leo University.
Currently Natasha is playing in Japan for Team Toyota, as well as competing on the PFX tour and playing for the USA National Softball Team.
Natasha has run many camps and clinics throughout the nation, has an instructional DVD on the market titled “The Art of Slapping” and sponsors a 10U team in Southern California. Watley is very concerned with the development of today’s youth and cares deeply for underprivileged children.
The Natasha Watley Foundation (NWF) is her latest expansion; which is a public non-profit, community service organization. Watley uses (NWF) as a vehicle to help bring the sport of softball to young girls in the nation’s inner cities. The foundation provides an opportunity for young women to compete in leagues and on teams when financial resources are limited and provides a positive alternative to the everyday struggles they may endure in the inner city.
Paul Pierce
February 5, 2011 By
Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce, nicknamed The Truth, is the heart and soul of the NBA World Champion Boston Celtics. A model of perseverance, Pierce was cut from the varsity team his freshman and sophomore years but decided to work harder and keep trying to make the team. His hard work paid off as he not only made the team, he also participated in the 1995 McDonald’s All-American Game, the premier game for high school seniors in the nation.
After High School, Paul attended the University of Kansas where he majored in Crime and Delinquency Studies. Playing for Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams, Pierce averaged 16.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in his three seasons at the University of Kansas, and earned MVP honors in the Big 12 Conference Tournament in both 1997 and 1998 and earned first team All-America honors in his junior year at Kansas.
The Boston Celtics selected Paul with the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, where he has played his entire professional career and has been the captain. Pierce has averaged 22.9 points per game over his 11-year NBA career and is a 7-time NBA All-Star. In 2008 he led the Celtics to their 17th NBA Championship title and was named MVP.
As impressive as Paul as been on the court, his off the court accomplishments are even more remarkable. In 2002 Paul founded The Truth Fund as a means to streamline his charitable efforts and connect with disadvantaged children in the Greater Boston area and his hometown of Inglewood, CA. The organization’s mission is to provide educational and life-enriching opportunities for disadvantaged youth. The vision of the Fund is to ensure that opportunities are available for young people to recognize their dreams through mentoring programs, technology and other educational needs as well as to foster stable and safe environments for children. Most recently, Paul announced the formation of his newest program through the Foundation, which is called THE TRUTH ON HEALTH. This initiative aims to empower and encourage young people to lead healthier lives in an effort to prevent obesity. Now, looking to extend his work, Paul agreed to become the Chairman of nPLAY, so he can address the issue of Children’s Obesity on a national level.
