OBESITY IS A CHALLENGE KDZ CAN OVERCOME – WALK FOR AWARENESS.

Obesity in America

According to the American Heart Association, approximately 9 million children (between the ages 6 and 19) are considered obese in the United States, equivalent to the entire population of the state of North Carolina. Something needs to be done to trim down the expanding waistlines of American youth.

This summer KooDooZ challenges us to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic and help the public understand that for the first time in history, this next generation will not outlive their parents unless we make a change.

Being overweight means greater health risks:

• According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 1 in 3 American kids will develop Type 2 Diabetes in their lifetime
• Tens of millions of Americans suffer every day from preventable illness and chronic disease, and we spend over $2 trillion annually trying to reverse this serious health trend

Obesity impacts more than health: Social isolation, guilt, and even self-loathing can become wellness issues that follow obese people through their lives.

Fortunately, obesity is both preventable and reversible. Even small changes to diet and exercise routines can positively affect health and wellness. Here’s an easy call-to-action you can take now:

Tour De Fitness (Santa Monica, CA 08/15/09)

O2 MAX has partnered with KooDooZ to redefine fitness for youth by empowering them to embrace exercise, nutrition, and healthy living with a “power walk.” Branded Tour de Fitness (TDF), this walk enables youth and their families to enjoy a day of activities while promoting the importance of fitness, exercise and nutrition. TDF was created by O2 MAX to raise awareness about the youth obesity crisis.

We are providing three ways you can help us turn this healthy challenge into an achievement:

1. Take on the Tour de Fitness challenge in your own community:

• To organize your own TDF, visit http://www.KooDooZ.com/
• Click "Get In:" on the landing page and "Log In" on your KooDooZ desktop
• Click on "Global" on the left side of the bulletin board
• Click on the “To Do A Tour de Fitness 09” challenge
• Click on the "Subscribe" button (the red bulls-eye)
• To be eligible for prize consideration: build in stops to refuel, document your group talking about healthy eating habits, share fun exercise methods by inviting local sports and fitness personalities to spend a few minutes training your group, and upload your TDF video documentary to the KooDooZ video portal

2. Walk on August 15th in the Santa Monica Tour de Fitness:

• Go to KooDooZ: http://www.KooDooZ.com/
• Click "Get In:" on the landing page and "Log In" on your KooDooZ desktop
• Click on "Global" on the left side of the bulletin board
• Click on "To Do TDF '09 in Santa Monica" challenge
• Click on the "Subscribe" button (the red bulls-eye)
• Complete the challenge To Do List and turn this challenge into an achievement!

3. Over 18? Volunteer at the Santa Monica Tour de Fitness:

• Volunteer to help register kids and their families in the morning, walk with groups of kids and/or help coordinate activity stops along the way
• Register via Meetup at http://walkers.meetup.com/676/calendar/10926551/ or send an email to info@KooDooZ.com
• Indicate if you would like to volunteer for an AM or PM shift (the event is scheduled from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm)

Watch a video from last year's Tour de Fitness!