Addressing Youth and Family Wellbeing
Fitwize 4 Kids addresses the physical and emotional health challenges children, families, and communities face. Specifically, Fitwize works to decrease risks and problems in youth by promoting their physical, emotional, and social health. Childhood inactivity and obesity are increasing. According to the Florida Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 60.7% of youth did not participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day for 5 or more days a week, 45.3% played videos, computer games, and/or used their computer for three or more hours daily for nonschool purposes, 23.3% watched television three or more hours a day, and 53.2% did not play on at least one sports team. Only 14.7% of youth consumed three or more servings of vegetables a day, only 31.3% consumed two or more servings of fruit per day, 29% ate fast food three or more times per week, and 17.5% consumed soda one or more times per day. 14.2% of youth are overweight, and 10.9% of youth are obese. With respect to emotional health, according to the same survey, 27.8% of youth felt sad or hopeless for at least two consecutive weeks, 14.1% of youth purposefully hurt themselves, 13.8% considered suicide, 10.7% of youth had a suicide plan, and 7.6% attempted suicide. Low-income families and communities frequently face additional challenges. These include the cost of children’s participation in extracurricular activities, organized sports, and health club membership. In addition, many low-income families and communities are healthy food deserts without fresh and nutritious food options. Consequently, low-income children are least likely to have access to needed physical activity and nutrition. Fitwize 4 Kids believes that fitness, nutrition, and life skills training are essential for physical and emotional health. Fitwize recognizes that this programming and training should begin as early in the lifespan as possible to establish positive and adaptive health habits and lifestyles. Accordingly, Fitwize has developed and employs specialized youth fitness, nutrition, and life skills programming that engages children, their parents, and families. Fitwize programming focuses on the whole child and youth development in an integrated manner with holistic attention to the body, mind, and spirit. Programming and services are offered by certified trainers and instructors in a facility with youth designed equipment and materials. Fitwize 4 Kids is committed to providing programming to all children including those in at-risk, special needs, low socioeconomic, and minority groups. Fitwize offers services to all youth including those with existing health risks (i.e. obesity, diabetes, depression, anxiety), those who are among special needs populations, those who have been bullied or have adverse childhood experiences, and those who are from low-income and at-risk families. Fitwize serves children, parents, and families regardless of socio-economics, gender, race, ethnicity, spiritual beliefs, and sexual orientation. Annually, Fitwize 4 Kids serves over 3,000 youth with distinct integrated programming that is often unavailable within other children services settings .
