ARCHIVE
Shaq’s Childhood Obesity Challenge Shaquille O’Neal, Miami Heat basketball center, is working hard to encourage overweight kids and parents to eat better and become more physically active. To fight the current obesity epidemic, O’Neal has produced and is currently starring in a six-part reality series called “Shaq’s Big Challenge” on ABC. Joined by a team of medical, nutrition and fitness experts, O’Neal is working with six obese middle school students from Southern Florida for nine months. The professionals put the children on intense exercise programs and eating regimens. O’Neal also plans to meet with Florida Governor Charlie Crist in an attempt to implement more nutritious school lunches and required physical education programs. Pediatric gastroenterologist William Muioos of Miami Children's Hospital, who monitored the health of the kids in the challenge, says the show illustrates the "extensive struggle these kids went through to lose weight, even with all the support they had." Growing up with a tall and awkward body shape, O’Neal says he can relate to these children because he knows that it’s like to be bullied and feel depressed. He credits his avoidance of obesity to staying active by running and playing basketball. The key to weight-loss success for kids is “believing in yourself, eating the right foods and being active,” O'Neal says. For more information on “Shaq’s Big Challenge,” please visit http://abc.go.com/primetime/shaqsbigchallenge/index. |