The Kids Fit Programs and Events
Kids Fit programs and events are designed to be a day for kids to reach their goals and to celebrate their healthy lifestyle achievements with their families and friends.
Kids taking part will enjoy the thrill of the run, a variety of exercise activities, and the party atmosphere. Our mission is to inspire children to develop a love for fitness at an early age.
At each Kids Fit event, each child will receive an official race number, t-shirt, goodie bag and finisher’s medal! We want them to feel proud of their accomplishments!
Be a part of our mission!
Your school or hometown could be the next Kids Fit event destination! The Kids Fit events are geared toward children 14 and under where they begin to learn the steps they can take to incorporate a healthy routine throughout their lifetime.
Dan and Jackie are eager to share their stories of how fitness changed their lives, educate kids on exercise and nutrition, and inspire our youth to get moving! Their mission is to motivate kids, families and communities that fitness is an essential part of a healthy, happy lifestyle.
Afterschool and Healthy Youth
Afterschool programs often play an important role in promoting healthy lifestyles for youth. Many programs offer youth opportunities to engage in an array of organized physical activities such as softball, martial arts or ballet. Most programs also serve healthy afternoon snacks while emphasizing the value of a nutritious diet. Physical fitness activities after school not only promote health but also serve as crime deterrents, teach youth positive values, and impart knowledge and skills to help youth establish lifelong healthy habits.
Promoting Healthy Habits
Since the Surgeon General declared childhood obesity a national epidemic, much attention has been focused on the health risks associated with sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition. Of particular concern is the parallel increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in youth.
A recent study by the CDC estimated that one in three children born in the U.S. will develop diabetes in their lifetime. The odds for African-American and Hispanic children are much worse – nearly half are likely to develop the disease. There is also increasing concern about the costs related to unhealthy lifestyles. Direct medical costs related to physical inactivity in 2000, were estimated to be $76.6 billion. The public-health costs related to obesity were estimated to be $117 billion in 2000, nearly as much as the $140 billion in costs associated with smoking.
According to the CDC, 61.5 percent of children ages 9-13 do not participate in any organized physical activity outside of school hours, and 22.6 percent do not engage in any type of physical activity during free time. Experts agree that strategies to promote healthy behaviors in our youth must focus on reducing sedentary activities, ensuring that all youth have access to daily, quality opportunities for physical activity, and providing nutrition education and access to healthy foods. Afterschool programs provide much-needed opportunities to promote and support healthy lifestyles in our youth.
Physical activity also promotes a heightened sense of well-being and confidence through both teamwork and individual accomplishments. One study found that children ages 9 and 10 who participate in sports tend to have a higher sense of self-worth and physical competence than their peers who do not participate in sports. Physical fitness activities and sports also offer youth an opportunity to challenge cultural and gender stereotypes. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, supervised physical activity may also help steer youth away from crime and delinquency.
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