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Springfield program to address obesity in kids

Deb McCullough, director of the Teens-on-The-Rise program, plays a skateboarding game with Amanda Ray in the XRCade at the Fitness Cellar on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

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By Bridgette Outten, Staff Writer 9:34 PM Sunday, November 22, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — The obesity rate of children in Clark County is higher than the state and national rates.

When Debbie McCullough, director of the at-risk youth program Teens On-The-Rise, learned that fact, she decided the kids in her program would not contribute to the statistics.

According to figures from the Rocking Horse Center, there is a 23.7 percent obesity rate in kids ages 5-19, compared to 22 percent in Ohio and 20 percent nationally.

“Obesity is such a problem in today’s youth,” McCullough said. “It’s so important that we collaborate to help.”

So McCullough and Tammy Beam, founder and owner of The Fitness Cellar gym, collaborated on a workout schedule for 15 On-The-Rise teens, ages 15 and older.

To start, the teens will use the gym to workout once a week through fitness classes and The Fitness Cellar’s premiere workout room for kids, the XRKade.

In the XRKade room — which is the only one of its kind in Ohio — the kids are “playing, but they’re really working out,” Beam said. “The goal is to help children with obesity.”

That was the purpose for The Fitness Cellar’s expansion and move to 137 East Main Street in April.

Beam not only relates to Teens On-The-Rise on a fitness level, but personally, as well.

“You know, I have had a troubled background,” Beam said. “And someone gave me a chance. That’s why I’m doing this.”

The On-The-Risers don’t get that chance for nothing, either: they’ll pay Beam back for their gym time with time spent cleaning the equipment on Saturdays.

Beam and McCullough agreed that the children should have to work for the workout. And the two will collaborate further to apply for a $10,000 grant that will fund transportation to the gym more regularly and an expansion of the program.

Even in the early stages, the program is impacting its young participants. Joel Kunce, 17, has been inspired to become a trainer.

“I just watch Miss Tammy (Beam) and see how much fun she is having,” Kunce said. “And helping people is something I always wanted to do.”

Amanda Ray, 17, said she enjoys just getting the chance to workout at the Fitness Cellar, where the atmosphere is kid-friendly.

“It’s just so easy to get motivated to do this,” she said.

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Most sports are pay to play or they just don't have them at schools. I'm sure that doesn't help. Yes, kids need to get out and do more every chance they have. On top of this we have growth horomones and all kinds of other crap in our food. Girls weren't filled out like they are now when I was a kid. Portion control is another issue we blow off with all you can eat buffett and combo meals. I wonder how many Americans are left that can grow anything in a garden? Sad indeed...

Ty
3:08 PM, 11/23/2009

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Look around. When was the last time you saw any kinds out playing on a playground, a football field, a basket ball court, a tennis court, anywhere. Nope they want to mess with Wii and the computer and text on the **** phone and sit on their a$$. There in is the problem.

flipper
2:40 PM, 11/23/2009

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