Building Strong Futures: Fighting Childhood Obesity at Fitness Evolution
April 7, 2025
Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), nearly 1 in 5 children (19.7%) in the U.S. are classified as obese, a number that has tripled over the last 40 years. The consequences aren't just about physical appearance — they impact a child’s entire future, increasing the risk for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and mental health issues.
At Fitness Evolution, we believe every child, teen and young adult deserves a strong, healthy start. Understanding the problem is the first step toward creating solutions that work.
Top 5 Issues Behind Childhood Obesity
- Poor Nutrition
Kids are consuming more processed foods, sugary drinks, and fast food than ever before. Busy family schedules, marketing tactics, and a lack of nutrition education contribute heavily to poor food choices. - Lack of Physical Activity
Studies show children spend over 7 hours a day on screens (phones, tablets, computers, TV) and less than 1 hour moving. Sedentary behavior has replaced active playtime. - Emotional Stress
Anxiety, depression, and family stress can lead to emotional eating at a young age. Food often becomes a coping mechanism, creating unhealthy patterns that are hard to break later in life. (During CoVId, emotional stress went up 40%) - Limited Access to Healthy Foods
In many communities, access to affordable fruits, vegetables, and whole foods is limited. Convenience stores and fast food chains often outnumber grocery stores, making healthy eating a challenge. - Reduced Physical Education in Schools
Schools have cut back on PE classes and recess time to prioritize academics. Kids are missing critical opportunities during the day to move their bodies and develop a love for exercise. ( Since CoVid, it has started to become more of a priority)
5 Solutions to Combat Childhood Obesity
- Encourage 60 Minutes of Daily Activity
Movement doesn’t have to mean structured exercise. Dancing, biking, playing tag, walking the dog — it all counts toward the daily goal of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity. - Focus on Real Foods
Encourage kids to "eat the rainbow" — a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables every day. Cutting down on processed foods and sugar is key to better health. - Prioritize Sleep
Lack of sleep increases cravings for unhealthy foods and lowers physical energy. Children need 9–12 hours of sleep depending on their age to stay healthy and focused. - Involve the Whole Family
When families move together, eat together, and make health a shared goal, all youth are much more likely to stick with healthy habits. Set family challenges like "Who can eat the most veggies today?" to make it fun! - Educate Early
Teaching kids why health matters — not just what to do — empowers them to make good choices even when adults aren’t around. Simple lessons on how food fuels the body or how exercise strengthens the heart make a big impact.
How to Take Action
We’re proud to be part of the solution in our community. We’re creating a space where youth feel welcomed, supported, and excited to get healthy
- Mentors are Examples
We believe strong communities build strong kids. That's why we’re inviting our long time gym goers to show up as examples and befriend to our youth. We as seasoned lifters offer leadership, encouragement, and life wisdom that can inspire young adults to push through challenges, build resilience, and feel a sense of belonging. - Creating a Positive, Supportive Community
Our gym is a safe, welcoming space where all can grow stronger physically and mentally. Staff and trainers provide positive reinforcement, helping every youth being valued.
Together, We Can Build a Healthier Future
We know it takes a village to raise strong, healthy young adults. By combining fitness opportunities, supportive mentors, family involvement, and health education, we are taking steps toward ending childhood obesity in our community.
Sources:
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
4 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Fitness Journey It's all too easy to let fitness take a backseat after the New Year and when the resolutions fade. Whether you're just starting out or have been working out for a while, it's crucial to take a step back and reflect on your fitness goals. Checking in with a trainer can provide you with the insights you may need to make progress. Here are 4 important questions to ask yourself that can help guide your fitness journey in the meantime: 1. What are my specific fitness goals? Understanding your fitness goals is the cornerstone of any successful program. Are you looking to lose weight, build muscle, increase endurance, or simply maintain a healthy lifestyle? Each goal requires a different approach, and a trainer can help you develop a tailored plan that aligns with your objectives. If your goals feel vague or unclear, it’s time to connect with a trainer who can help you articulate them better and create actionable steps to achieve them. Don’t wait—your goals deserve clarity! 2. Am I consistently challenging myself? Progress is rooted in challenge. If your workouts have become predictable or easy, you might not be pushing yourself enough. Ask yourself when you last increased the weight you lift, tried a new exercise, or extended your cardio session. These small adjustments can lead to significant gains over time. A trainer can assess your current routine and help you incorporate new challenges that keep you engaged and progressing. Remember, comfort zones are overrated, and now is the time to step out of yours! 3. How do I feel both physically and mentally about my fitness journey? Your mental and physical well-being is just as important as the numbers on the scale or the weights you lift. Take a moment to reflect on how you feel about your workouts, nutrition, and overall health. Are you excited to train, or are you experiencing burnout? A trainer can help you find the right balance and offer strategies to overcome obstacles, ensuring that you’re not only achieving results but also enjoying the process. Don’t hesitate to reach out to ensure your approach supports both your body and your mind. 4. Am I aware of my body’s strengths and weaknesses? Understanding your body’s unique strengths and weaknesses is key to maximizing your fitness potential. Are you aware of specific areas that need improvement, such as flexibility, strength, or balance? An assessment can provide you with valuable insights into your body’s capabilities, helping you tailor your workouts to address these areas effectively. By pinpointing what to focus on, you can make your efforts more efficient and rewarding. Don’t wait—seize the chance to unlock your full potential through a professional assessment and take your fitness journey to the next level! Final Thoughts Yes, I will always recommend talking to an expert whether you train or not, it’s our job to educate! However, asking yourself these questions is a vital step in taking control of your fitness journey. Don’t let uncertainty keep you from the progress you deserve! To truly gauge where you stand, here are three simple tests you can perform to see if you’re on track: The Talk Test : During your workouts, can you carry on a conversation? If you're breathing too hard to speak, you might need to reassess the intensity of your routine. Try for a balance where you’re challenged but not overwhelmed. Mirror Test : Take a good look in the mirror. Are you noticing changes in your physique and posture? Sometimes visual cues can be a great indicator of progress. Celebrate the small victories! Energy Levels : Pay attention to how you feel throughout the day. If you're energized and motivated, chances are your fitness routine is working for you. If fatigue is your constant companion, it’s a sign to consult a trainer about potential adjustments. Taking actionable steps today can lead to empowering results tomorrow. Remember, reaching out to an expert can unlock the next level of your fitness potential. The journey is yours—don’t hesitate to seize the opportunity and make it the best it can be! Your future self will absolutely thank you for it!
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A little about how I became a yoga instructor. I first started my yoga journey taking classes in 2003 through Buffalo Community Education, not knowing anything about yoga. For decades I practiced yoga routinely, usually on a VHS tape or a DVD. I know, dating myself!! Then I joined Fitness Evolution in about 2010 and took a couple classes here from time to time. Yoga seemed to relief stress for me as my first career and passion was law enforcement. For 23 years, I wore many hats as an officer. Most of my career was in detective work. When I would routinely add yoga to my week, I was much more at ease, stronger mentally. When I was not practicing yoga, I still worked out, often taking other classes the club had to offer. It seemed like a friend of mine, and I were always trying the latest BeachBody DVDs, other challenges, I added running into the mix and strength training, but I was missing the positive mental health piece when I wasn't practicing. During my in-person classes or on video, I always thought to myself, I should teach this. I was always taking something from class from the instructors. Physical things I liked about their class, things I didn't like. Verbal things I liked about their class and things I did not. So fast forward 23 years as an officer, I medically retired and needed something healthy to do. I became a yoga instructor taking my training online (Covid) through Yoga International. I still honestly did not understand all yoga was but quickly learned about the history, philosophies, several different types, ect... I grew to love it more! I wanted to be the person that helped me for so many years be at ease after a long day at work, or sad stressful week after investigating the dark side of society. I hear the sighs from certain fellow yogis after their hard shift in the ER, on the road in uniform, ECT...and thank them for taking care of their mental wellbeing! What is yoga? For those that have never tried it, yoga is essentially configuring your body into various positions and then holding that posture for some time. In these positions your muscles tighten, and your balance is challenged. Keeping the posture requires focus and attention to what you're doing. And while our bodies are engaged, our mind is tasked solely with concentrating on finding and keeping stillness with each pose. We have instructors that will help you through the whole process. * Yoga contributes greatly to the mental and emotional well-being for most everyone. Studies show practicing yoga releases helpful brain chemicals, like gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. That release helps calm your body and soul and makes you feel better. * Beginners can start incorporating yoga into their daily routine by setting goals and being disciplined, just like with any new physical activity. I often hear from someone that they are not flexible enough to do yoga. Consistency pays off. Start with a beginner practice, like a gentle flow, a restorative class, or hatha flow. You will get looser and more flexible as you go. Use tools to help you like blocks if you can't quite touch the floor in the various poses and a yoga strap. You'll want to use a sticky mat, so the mat doesn't slide on you if you are on a smooth floor. It is also important to use a thinner mat without a lot of cushion. That will help balance poses be easier. I say stick with these types of practices but add to them. Add a vinyasa or power class to gain more strength, balance, and strong mindset. * Once it becomes a habit, you won't break it! Whether it is 1st thing in the morning to set you up for an outstanding day, or a nighttime ritual to get you settled for bed, or a scheduled class at the club, keep doing it. I promise it will get easier. Physically you'll become more flexible and be able to the moves and poses with ease. It is true that your body may not ever be able to do every pose. We all have restrictions and BUT we can accommodate! Join us at the Yoga and Arts studio in Monticello, we also offer yoga classes in Buffalo on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Check out our website for a current class schedule. https://www.fitevomn.com/group-classes-monticello or https://www.fitevomn.com/group-classes-buffalo
February is Cardiovascular Awareness Month
No, I do not have all the answers, long from it. In full transparency I am in full menopause at 54, my mother was at 41. I am not ashamed to say as a fitness professional how I missed the boat with my own health but perhaps a bit embarrassed as I learned just how much I didn’t know. Then it hit me like a ninja! I didn’t feel as if I changed a lot of my physical fitness, not enough anyway to warrant the changes I underwent. I am still learning! I was like a lot of fitness professionals that meant well and took what we learned in health and wellness workshops and journals to educate ourselves and passed it to clients. Even consulted medical professionals when I had questions. However, I didn’t know “what I didn’t know to ask” . I already knew with menopause; it was a significant challenge for me like many women. I judged myself with no grace. From the ages as early as 35 well into our 60’s we can start with perimenopausal, to full out menopause, to post. The physical and emotional changes that accompanied this stage of life felt overwhelming and very lonely (but I wasn’t, neither are you). However, it's essential to remember that “I” had the power to advocate for my own health and well-being . It was important to be an active participant in my menopausal journey. The advancements in research surrounding menopause, and the significance of finding the right healthcare provider was confusing. No time like the present! It did not happen overnight, that is for dang sure.