FAN4Kids fighting childhood obesity
This project's parent organization is FAN4Kids
It operates in United States
It uses Indigenous games
Entered the Sport for Education Award
More about FAN4Kids fighting childhood obesity
Childhood obesity is among the most prevalent nutritional diseases in the United States. - nearly 25 million children are obese or overweight. In low-income, urban and minority communities the problem is more acute. Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult. FAN4Kids was established in 2004 to combat today’s childhood obesity epidemic by providing nutrition education services and fitness programs to low-income, urban school districts with a high minority population.
The program's multi-faceted approach combines weekly classroom instruction (50-minutes) with enlisted parental involvement and a mobilized community. Nutrition lessons help children make sound decisions on their food choices; food tastings bring the curriculum to life. Fitness classes are aimed at keeping kids active and involved in and out of school. FAN4Kids also partner with other fitness organizations to expose children to non-traditional sports, like Australian Rules Football. Recess: provides daily a more structured play, creates a more inclusive environment, and reinforces the importance of general fitness throughout the school-year. Instructors teach five classes a day, from 9am to 3pm, alternating weekly between fitness and nutrition over 30 weeks; FAN4Kids oversees lunch recess