Dr. Brings Fitness To DC Area Charter Schools

WASHINGTON - Dr. Shari Hall and Ms. Ewunike Akpan, two of the featured speakers at the Ultimate You Today 2011 Conference for Women and Networking Event on February 5, 2011 in Washington DC, will present a new comprehensive fitness and healthy lifestyle program for children called F.A.S.T. Kids – Fun, Athletic, Smart, Training for Kids at the 2nd Annual DC Public Charter School Recruitment Expo, being held this Saturday, January 8, 2011 between 12 – 4 pm, at the Washington Convention Center.

Dr. Hall, a former cardiothoracic anesthesiologist and a mother of two pre-teen children attending public schools, and Ms. Akpan, a certified personal trainer and obesity prevention specialist, are concerned. Childhood obesity is on the rise, with nearly 1/3 of all children in the United States being classified as overweight or obese. “We are seeing more children with obesity-related chronic illnesses, like type 2 diabetes and hypertension, diagnosed today than ever before,” says Dr. Hall.

To help combat the childhood obesity epidemic, they have created the F.A.S.T. Kids program which emphasizes fun games, activities, and circuits that are all-inclusive and keep the kids moving for the entire session. They designed the program to be non-competitive in nature so all children, even those who are less athletically inclined, can successfully participate. It incorporates all the basic skills outlined in the DC Public Schools Physical Fitness Standards . Each session includes a 15-minute interactive discussion on nutrition and healthy living. Programs can be tailored to meet the needs of an individual school, and teachers can easily implement the program into their curriculum with materials and training provided by the F.A.S.T. Kids Team.

While many public school systems are making strides in providing healthier food options in the cafeteria by decreasing or eliminating fatty foods and sugar-laden drinks, these ladies still believe many are lacking in providing adequate opportunities for daily physical activity and fitness programs. “My parents instilled in me a love of fitness from an early age. Our goal is to have every child be passionate about living a healthy, active long life and make fitness a habit,” says Ms. Akpan, who is featured in the current issue of Heart & Soul Magazine. “One period per week of physical education is not enough when sedentary activity predominates their school day.”

The DC Public Charter School Recruitment Expo will showcase a demonstration of the F.A.S.T. Kids program in the children’s activity area between 1:40-2:00 pm. “Playground space, sports facilities and cafeterias are usually in short supply or non-existent in these facilities. Schools may have to transport students to alternative facilities to fulfill the physical education requirements,” stated Josephine Baker, Executive Director of the DC Public Charter School Board at a public hearing in March 2010 regarding the Healthy Schools Amendment Act of 2009. Ms. Akpan and Dr. Hall hope to provide a fun, simple, customized solution to this problem with F.A.S.T. Kids.

F.A.S.T. Kids is a comprehensive fitness and healthy lifestyle program designed specifically for school-aged kids. Using fun, non-competitive, skill-based athletic games and activities and an interactive healthy lifestyle lecture series, the F.A.S.T Kids Team will tailor a program specific to the needs of a schools requirements. Kids, teachers, and parents will all love the benefits derived from incorporating a daily activity and nutrition plan into their lives. Change Habits. CHANGE LIVES!