KID FIT program battles childhood obesity in the Basin

Aimee Hornberger

Herald staff writer

COLUMBIA BASIN — You won't find most third graders spending their after school hours at the local gym, but Kayla Wiltse-Collins visits South Campus Athletic Club twice a week for an hour as part of SCAC's "KID FIT" program which was first introduced in November of last year.

Kayla, who said her weight has been a concern for her, said she has been consistent in coming to the program every week.

"I only missed one," Kayla said. "I need exercise and its healthy … I feel more energized."

Kayla's mother Julie Wiltse said she has noticed a slight drop in her daughter's weight and a change in her mood.

"I wanted her to learn it's fun," Wiltse said of her daughter who often loses interest with exercising at home and agreed that it makes a difference having someone outside the home work with Kayla on exercise activities. "Her self esteem has gone way up," said Wiltse who also works for Head Start and understands the importance of nutrition.

Tony McCarty, general manager for the SCAC, said his gym started the program to encourage healthy lifestyle habits at a young age. McCarty said he believes the first trial run of the program has been successful because the instructors have strived to incorporate activities that meet the interests of both boys and girls, such as weight lifting, calisthenics and aerobic activity.

McCarty said he has had up to 20 kids in a session and due to the success of the first program, he is planning on having it again this year but has not yet decided on a start date.

At Peninsula Elementary School, P.E. Teacher Fernando Alvarez said finding alternate forms of exercise for his students such as juggling or hackey sack is one way to encourage physical activity. "These are things they can enjoy after school," Alvarez said. "A lot of it is giving them outlets and help them understand their are activities for them to do and that they can do on their own."

Alvarez is also president for the Washington Alliance for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance, an organization that provides support in advocating health and wellness at the local and state level.

Alvarez said in 2004 WAHPERD was a part of several organizations that were involved in putting together a piece of legislation that is called the "Model Policy for Nutrition and Physical Activity," which was passed by the Legislature last year.

Alvarez said the legislation will have to be addressed by school districts across the state by this fall. The policy outlines certain guidelines for implementing nutrition and curriculum policies. Alvarez said the legislation is intended to be a model policy by which school districts can adapt their own programs to.

Owner of the Ephrata Athletic Club, Mike Scellick, said finding activities that are interactive such as basketball or racquetball encourages kids to have fun while getting physical activity. "There are so many youth sports … the opportunity is there for those who want it." Scellick also said everyday responsibilities also get in the way and take time away from important family gatherings such as dinner meals where parents could be modeling proper nutrition and spending time with their kids.

Desiree McCullough, owner of Sleek Physique in Moses Lake, agrees that in an information age of computers, cell phones and fast food, there is less of a need to take time for exercise and health. "Kids need to get involved in things they like to do."

In 2001, Moses Lake was invited to be part of the "Healthy Communities" project which includes the Community Garden, Paths and Trails and the Moses Lake Breastfeeding Coalition.

"That is one of the goals of health communities project is to change the policy and environment and lifestyle of these children when they're young so they will become healthy adults and citizens," said Sally Goodwin, executive director of the Moses Lake Business Association which is helping to implement these programs.

Sidebar: Activities for kids around the Basin

South Campus Athletic Club

KID FIT program to be offered at Moses Lake site

Start date and cost yet to be determined

766-2757

Ephrata Athletic Club

Kids After School program

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. M-F

$25/month or $15/month for members

754-4300

Sleek Physique 766 9083

Kid Power

4 p.m. to 5 p.m. M-Th

cost $25/month

766-9083

See the following sites for a list of winter and year round activities:

Moses Lake Parks and Recreation

www.mlrec.com

Ephrata Parks and Recreation

www.ephrata.org