YMCA's 'Fit Start' Program Aims to Curb Childhood Obesity

School funding cuts and a focus on academics over physical fitness has emptied playgrounds and stalled physical education programs across the country, causing the childhood obesity rate to skyrocket.

That prompted Phillip Newman, wellness director at the Bob Sierra YMCA Youth & Family Center, to brainstorm a solution.

His idea came to fruition last August, when Newman started the Fit Start program at the YMCA. The program allows kids and teenagers to participate in physical activity through activities such as obstacle courses, spinning, zumba classes and boot-camp style training. The cost is $25 per month for kids 8-14 years old, and the kids meet once a week for 45 minutes.

Newman said wanted to start the program to expand the YMCA's level of social responsibility.

"I took a step back and said, with youth development, this is the perfect opportunity," he said. "Let's bring organized recess to the Y."

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Newman's program began last year when he heard about an "innovation fund" grant that was available through the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA. He applied, and received $5,000 that was used to purchase items like hula hoops, youth-sized stability balls and adjustable height hurdles.

The membership fee of $25 is used to curb the costs of the one-time only grant, Newman said.

Benefits of Fit Start include learning how to eat healthy foods as well as get into shape, Newman said.

"It's not, 'This is what you need to eat,'" he said. "It's, 'Let's read the back of the pack of potato chips and the rice cake and see what ingredients are listed.' Now that we worked out for 45 minutes, would all natural juice be a better choice than soda?"

The 15 boys and 10 girls currently enrolled in the Fit Start program are led by Michelle Sussman, Fit Start coordinator at the YMCA. She said the program was advertised by posting fliers at local elementary schools and the YMCA.

"We were hoping for a soft rollout," she said, "and the first month, we had 30 kids."

She said the class is run like a personal training session for kids, using exercise methods like rolling monster truck tires to help kids get in shape. She said kids are given fitness tests at the beginning of the month, and weighed to monitor their progress.

"The response has been unbelievable," she said. "We had no idea it was going to be this big. And, the parents are appreciative."

Sussman said the program is crucial for communities to have.

"We really are in a state of emergency for kdis health concerns," she said. "We are doing what we can do be proactive."

A Family Fit Start program will begin on Feb. 10 from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Bob Sierra YMCA, 4029 Northdale Boulevard. For more information on the kids Fit Start or the Family Fit Start program, call 813-962-3220.