The number of overweight children in the United States has tripled over the last three decades, and children who are overweight are at risk for developing chronic health problems later in life. The habits of overweight children are creating a deadly potion of long-term health problems from hypertension and joint problems to type II diabetes.

FACT: In California, nearly 40 percent of children are physically unfit and more than 25 percent are overweight, according to a recent report by the California Center for Public Health Advocacy. That makes California the state with the highest number of overweight children in America.

Whatever happened to the image of granola-loving Californians who love to surf, bike and play beach volleyball? When it comes to the prevalence of child obesity, why is California outpacing the national average? This is a frightening fact. We need to get back to our roots and reclaim our fit lifestyles. Our children learn habits early and by parental example. If we don't get them eating well and exercising young, they could be in for a life of watching T.V. with a bag of cheese puffs.

FACT: Three out of every four California students are unfit and more than a quarter are overweight.

It is well established that poor nutrition is linked to lower academic performance. A recent study by the National Association for Sport & Physical Education showed that physically fit children performed better academically in schools. So along with a more active lifestyle, comes better grades. And better grades lead to a brighter future.

When Did Our Kids Get So Fat?

Get back to basics

FACT: A heart scan conducted six months before James Woodlin started the Atkins diet showed no evidence of the plaque or calcification routinely seen in people with heart problems. But after two years on the diet he had developed angina and had a 99% blockage in a major artery.

Fad diets that completely eliminate our largest food group (carbohydrates) and call for little to no exercise are DANGEROUS. Whatever happened to routine exercise and watching caloric intake? Organic foods, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables are a simple way to keep weight low and health high.

FACT: A Television Commission survey carried out in 1999 found that a quarter of children under four had television sets in their bedrooms.

Four hours a day is the current national average of time children spend watching television. Allowing your children to watch TV for long periods of time is counterproductive, unhealthy, and most of all, boring! Get outside and play WITH them. After they've been sitting in a classroom for eight hours, children need exercise. Encourage your kids to bike, run, join a community sport league-anything that gets them moving.

FACT: A 1990 Food Commission Survey of the popular foods for children found that the highest on the list were Kellogg's Coco Pops, Birds Eye Potato Waffles and Sugar Puffs. ………(I'm still trying to find something more recent for this)

All of these foods contain very few nutrients and lots of anti-nutrients in the form of simple sugar, additives, colors, and preservatives. Deterioration in the quality of school meals, the commercial pressure to eat processed foods, peer pressure and family practices have all led to the obesity epidemic. By not watching what your kids are eating, you are allowing the possibility of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, bowel disease, poor bone development and dental disease.

Engage Your Competitive Warrior Spirit

FACT: A survey by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education reported that only 44 percent of children participate in school-based physical activity on a daily basis, and five percent receive no physical education at all.

As elementary schools struggle with budget cutbacks, daily physical education is usually one of the first programs to go. These findings make it all the more important for children to get more physical activity at home or after school.

FACT: According to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey published in June 2000, children between 6 and 15 are failing to meet the Health Education Authority's recommendations for young people's participation in physical activity.

Encourage your children to join a new sports team. Competition encourages kids to challenge themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. It also helps them break through self-imposed limitations and barriers by working together. To come…Bio, Testimonials, page explaining what you'll do for them (6-week program, price, link to sample daily program?)