KelseyBear launches 15-week health challenge

HOUSTON – School's out for the summer and that tends to mean more downtime for children. Sadly, that downtime can have a negative effect on children's health.

With one in three kids overweight or obese, a special friend is inviting families to reverse that trend and get moving this summer!

KelseyBear, 10, is getting a check up with his pediatrician, Dr. Debra Cutler.

She told him, "I think I'm seeing more of you though than I saw last year."

Lately, KelseyBear has been indulging in video games and unhealthy snacks.

He's not alone.

Cutler explained, "As pediatricians, we've noticed that during the summer, when kids get off their regular pattern of getting up, going to school, being active, that they actually start gaining weight in the summer and lose whatever good healthy habits they had during the school year."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last 30 years.

"You don't slim up as you get older," Cutlet said. "The pattern you're on early is more than likely the pattern you're going to stay on."

Obese youth are at higher risk for:

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • High cholesterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Pre-diabetes
  • Bone and joint problems
  • Sleep apnea
  • Social and psychological problems

KelseyBear is launching a 15-week challenge to make healthy food choices and get out and exercise over the summer.

Families are invited to join him as he blogs about his journey.

Cutler added, "Mama Bear and Papa Bear are going to be involved in this, too, because we all need to start getting better with our habits. You know, if we do it as adults, the kids will follow along, too."

KelseyBear will post every Friday over the next 15 weeks leading up to his big reveal on Sept. 15 at the Houston Zoo's "Get Out and Play" event.

For more information about KesleyBear's 15-week challenge, visit http://www.kelseybear.com/, "like" Kelsey-Seybold Clinic on Facebook or follow Kelsey-Seybold Clinic on Twitter to receive updates on KesleyBear's blog.