A Plan to Make Fit the New Fun

Manassas After-School Partnership Aims to Use Novel Ways to Get Kids Moving

Growing up, Fairfax County resident Brittney Taylor said, jungle gyms and games such as flashlight tag and flag football kept her circle of friends busy after school.

But now, those favorite pastimes seem to be just in the past as many of today's youths rely on video games and Internet surfing to fill their time.

And that, she says, needs to change.

"The amount of time kids spend outdoors is not nearly as much as it was when I was growing up," said the 21-year-old, who is a recent George Mason University graduate and former intern with the Manassas Recreation and Parks Department. "Every day after school we went right outside. But today, kids are just going home and sitting on their butts. We need to do something to change that."

On Monday, Taylor pitched to the Manassas City Council her plan to get students moving.

By collaborating with Manassas schools, George Mason University, the recreation department and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Taylor has created Wellness Leaders of America, an after-school fitness program set to launch next month in four Manassas schools.

"I think there are a couple of wins here," said Manassas City Council member Mark D. Wolfe (R), who serves as the parks and recreation liaison. "People are awakening to the national obesity issue, and I think this is a strong step in addressing it at the local level. This also speaks to our partnership with GMU. Brittney was a resource the city wouldn't have otherwise been able to afford right now."

The six-week fitness program will begin the week of Oct. 6 at R.C. Haydon and Baldwin elementary schools, Mayfield Intermediate School and Grace E. Metz Middle School. Taylor said the noncompetitive program -- an hour session, twice a week -- will make fitness fun with games, obstacle courses, dance lessons and other activities meant to help address the obesity epidemic. The goal is to have about 30 students in each program.

"I think this will be good for the kids," said Jeff Abt, principal at Mayfield. "They are all gifted with their fingers when it comes to Nintendo games, but when it comes to moving and grooving, they are lacking a little. There has been a lot of thought put into this program, and I hope it will be well received."

The most recent data, from the 2003-04 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, show that 36 percent of children nationwide ages 6 to 19 are overweight.

Sandy Thompson, supervisor for administrative services for Manassas schools and chairwoman of the Northern Virginia Healthy Kids Coalition, said about 20 percent of Northern Virginia students in kindergarten through 12th grade are overweight.

Thompson said she doesn't have a breakdown for Manassas schools, but a wellness survey given to 413 Manassas youths last year helps paint a picture of what students do -- and don't do -- to stay healthy.