Raise your hand if you watched Shaq's Big Challenge last night on ABC? You know my hand is raised -- In fact, I tivo'd it! I have been a bit apprehensive about the whole show from the beginning with my fears that they would exploit overweight children for Shaq's fame, but that was not the case at all.
Last night we met the team (Shaq, Joy Bauer and Dr. Carlon) as well as all the kids enrolled in the program (two 11 year old boys, a 13 year old boy, two 14 year old girls and another 14 year old boy). The ultimate goal? Getting those kids fit by the end of six months.
The team's first task was to assess the kids' current level of fitness, which was not good. The average girl 10-14 should be able to complete 30-37 curl-ups and 10-15 push-ups in one of minute each. The average boy aged 10-14 should be able to complete 35-45 curl-ups and 14-30 push-ups in one minute of each. The majority of the kids on the program could not even complete one single rep of either exercise.
The thing I found most interesting about it all was the role that the parents played. Most of them enabled these children to become extremely overweight whether it is from being overweight themselves, seeing it as a cultural norm or because it is was just easier to feed the kinds junk food or let them play video games 24/7 rather than face the music. We can only hope that other parents in the same boat watching the program may realize that overweight children are a family problem, not just something that falls only on the kid's shoulders.
These kids amazed me with how supportive they were of each other and themselves -- I am definitely anxious to watch the next five episodes (only 6 total). Shaq did a good job of balancing humor with seriousness. While it was strange that his massive Miami mansion got about as much airtime as the kids, I am still impressed with the show overall.
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Dries Van Noten
Matthew Williamson
Rebecca
I wasnt sure what to expect at first, but I did enjoy the show. many of the kids have such determination and very fun personalities. I hope they keep up the hard work.
And yes, I have to agree with their parents enabling them. It must be difficult as a parent to admit that it is partially (or fully) your fault, but something has to be done to protect your childs health.
1ACK! I missed it! Thanks for the reminder!
2I am glad that he is helping. Doctors and parents are often reticent on this issue.
3OH man, I missed it!! *poo* Well, thanks for the recap anyhow! I really hope that Shaq can help these kids out.
4EEEK! I missed it too! Thanks for the recap! I'll remember next week!
5I think because these kids look up to Shaq (most likely I would guess), that would be a huge motivating factor in their ability to get healthy. He seems to be a good role model from what I have heard about him (super involved with children and charities), and I wonder what 10-yr old would object to having a famous athlete coach them into a healthy body.
6I hadn't planned on watching this but it was on. I was nauseas after watching what those kids have been eating! I really hope they all stick to it and get healthy.
7I really enjoy a good weight-loss show, but was skeptical about this. I found Shaq to be DELIGHTFUL! He really does have a heart for these kids. I don't know how they'll respond, but I hope they get on board. By the looks of the previews, at least some will!
I also like that he's addressing the problem while these folks are children. It could literally change the trajectory of these kids' lives.
8It's obvious that some of the reason Shaq is doing this is for some exposure...he's a media hog and always has been. But that aside, he's bringing exposure to a very important epidemic in our country. I was glad to see that Shaq and his team are addressing the many components that contribute to these kids' obesity. Of all components, the hardest one to change will be the family influence and dynamic. I'm also looking forward to the next episode, where the focus will be on school policy change (bringing PE back into schools). Thanks fitsugar for focusing on this issue!
9I don't think Shaq is a media hog, I think there is something so natural about him that the media loves to interview him. he is always delightful and funny during NBA press conferences.
Didn't know they were already airing the show this summer. But I like what Shaq and even ABC on what their doing. I think it should serve as a wake-up call for parents that obesity starts out in in the family, and not to dismiss/ignore it with well-my-son/daughter-loves-to-eat-so-i-can't-do-anything-about-it excuses.
10ditto on the tivo-ing, so i'm skipping this post until i watch!
11This is really cool. I saw it on the menu guide, but I didn't know what it was so I didn't even look at it. I'm totally going to watch it now.
12I'm so happy about this show
13aw i missed it. i was really looking forward to it. i love that shaq's doing this and he seems like one of those athletes that is definitely a person first (he's also involved with law enforcement among other things). i love it.
14I love what Shaq is doing, he is really making a point across national television on the importance of sports, excercise and healthy eating habits with young kids. My 9 year old son and I watched it together and we were shocked at the weight of these young kids. What upset me the most was that some these parents pretended that their kids health was not in serious danger. HELLO!!! if your 14 year old weighs 280 lbs. how could you not be aware of the dangers of child obesity? Not only that, a few of these kids needed a CT Scan to measure their body fat (most were at 50%) and were classified as morbidly obese!!
15this show is great. i'm sad that it's got such a short run. is it bad that it kind of boosted my self-esteem? i know that's so wrong.
16oh mannn i missed it too! will catch it next week for sure
17dangit! I wanted to see it too. Dangit...I'm gonna set it in Tivo today!
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