Posted 12:52 am Sunday, January 22, 2012
Former NFL Player Battles Childhood Obesity
By COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
More than one-third of American children ages 10 to 17 are obese or overweight, according to a report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Texas ranks seventh in obesity in that age group with 20.4 percent. In addition, less than one-third of children ages 6 to 17 engage in vigorous activity.
That's something that David Mims, a former NFL wide receiver would like to change. Through his year-old organization, Professional Athletes Against Childhood Obesity (PAļ¾²CO), he will hold the 5K for a Healthy Life event on March 31 in Longview. Mims has lived around the country working with NFL teams in the early 1990s but has returned to his hometown, Daingerfield.
Childhood obesity is a national problem, but it also hit close to home for Mims.
"I was dealing with some obesity issues in my family, with kids, and we really saw a need to get these kids active," the father of four said.
The 5K and fun run will showcase students from White Oak and Spring Hill school districts. They have participated in programs he's developed. About 1,500 have been exposed to his programs and he is expecting at least 500 runners will attend the event.
Mims created a running program to take the stress off teachers, using clear, defined measurements for the curriculum. The eight-week program is targeted at students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
"We feel as if the earlier we get them, the quicker and the more likely we can change their behavior," Mims said.
He has other programs implemented, including a Couch to 5K Initiative and a plan that gets the family involved. He's also beginning to emphasize a nutritional component. Getting schools on board can be a challenge, he said, although they are interested in finding cost-efficient ways to introduce healthy programs.
"What we're finding out is we are placing yourself in a position with a school that is willing to work at that," he said. "It's not an easy thing."
Mims said there are plenty of grants available to subsidize programs to fight obesity within schools.
"We help facilitate that," he said. "We have a lot of grants available through us."
NFL Play 60 has supported his efforts and he's gained the help of sponsors, including BlueCross BlueShield of Texas, UPS and the U.S. Marines.
Sponsors will fund the upcoming 5K, and his organization incurs the costs associated with its programs. For the March race, he'll call on the help of at least 10 professional athletes.
For more information, visit the Facebook page at tinyurl.com/5kforhealthylife or email David Mims at Djmims5@yahoo.com.
IF you go:
What: 5K for a Healthy Life
When: registration begins at 7 a.m. March 31; Fun Run begins at 8 a.m. and 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. An award ceremony will be held at 10 a.m.
Where: Spring Hill High School, 3101 Spring Hill Road, Longview
Registration: $10, students (14 and younger); $25 general registration
