Keeping our children healthy

  • Published
  • By Cassie Brown
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Work out. Eat healthy. Keep fit.

Today's society puts a lot of stress on adults to be healthy and fit, as we've all seen on television programs such as "The Biggest Loser" or "Celebrity Fit Club."

But where are the programs that focus on children? Where are programs that help prevent obesity from ever happening to children?

The best way to keep children from becoming obese and growing into obese adults is to teach them healthy eating habits and to stay active from an early age.

That is why the Travis Fitness Center is so proud to introduce its Fit Kids Program.

The Fit Kids Program, a program specifically for children, ages 6 to 11, is designed to teach the importance of physical fitness and healthy eating while preserving what every child really wants: fun.

The classes mainly consist of keeping children active through many different types of exercises. Through a multitude of different games and toys the children are constantly on the go. They play classic games like tag and even give their own input into which games they want to play.

"The children love the classes. They see it as an hour long recess," said Crystal McCarter, Fit Kids Program instructor. "We just really want the children to have fun while staying
active."

The Fit Kids Program helps kids learn that TV and video games are alright when enjoyed in moderation, but keeping active is the way to go.

To help them learn about healthy eating, nutritionists from the Health and Wellness Center visit the classes, sharing good eating habits with the children. Remembering the goal is fun, the instructors create games that help the kids remember which foods are healthy.

Parents love the program because it keeps the parents active as well. Many parents who have younger children find it extremely difficult to get to the gym.

However, the Fit Kids Program is like getting a two-for-one deal. While the children are in their class, the parents are free to enjoy everything the fitness center has to offer them.

"This program is great because many children actually want to come to the gym, and it is good for the parents who wouldn't normally be able to make it to the gym. It gives the children and the parents a much needed workout," explains Shannon Watt, a mother who has two children in the program.

Whether it is using the machines, the free weights, running around the track, or even taking a class of their own, parents know that their children are safe and getting their own exercise.

The program's class sessions began June 18 and continues until Aug, 2. 

However, because of the program's popularity, the fitness center is going to add more sessions which are scheduled to start in the fall and classes will be split into two different age groups.

Cost is $25 per child for eight classes and signups is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m.