MG Kids reports on Khaliah Ali’s Morristown visit to combat child obesity

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Today’s MG Kids report is about a recent program where parents and kids learned through activities and speaking with other people that a healthy lifestyle is fun, reports Alyse Jefferson, age 11. “The My Program For Life event was fun and had a lot of information about how to stay healthy,” she says. “Hopefully this gives you some tips on where to start if you want to learn more about maintaining a healthy weight.”

Tomorrow, watch for more earth-friendly art created by young clients of Homeless Solutions.

MG Kids welcomes children’s original artwork, stories and news articles. Click here to find out how to contribute.

By Alyse Jefferson, MG Kids correspondent

On Saturday, Khaliah Ali, daughter of former Heavyweight Champion of the World Muhammad Ali and spokeswoman for Banding Centers of America was at the Hyatt in Morristown.

Several sponsors had tables at the event with literature to explain their weight-loss services and fitness programs.  To keep the event attendees laughing, Taylor Mason, a comedian, was there to warm up the crowd.

khaliah ali
Khaliah Ali, daughter of boxing champ Muhammad Ali

I caught up with Khaliah Ali to find out what tips she had on how kids can stay healthy.

“I think kids should stay active, participate in sports and stay safe – safety is key,” Khaliah said. “If a kid wants a snack, it should be healthy.”

Asked if she had struggled with her weight, Khaliah replied, “Yes I have, since I was a little girl. It was such a challenge, but challenges can be good; I have turned it into a positive part of my life.”

To stay healthy and maintain a healthy lifestyle, Khaliah said, “I exercise almost every day, lift weights [and] like to hike, bike and learn new healthy recipes.”

Childhood obesity for children age 5-18 has “become a really tough situation that became very difficult,” Khaliah said.

When asked why she is a spokeswoman for Banding Centers of America, Khaliah replied simply: “Banding Centers of America has all the ingredients to make someone successful for life.”

Khaliah elected to have weight-loss surgery six years ago.  “It is called a lap band. For me it was the best choice, but I tell everyone to look at all the options,” she said.

Banding Centers of America was the main sponsor of the event. “Khaliah is a band patient, and the band goes around your stomach and helps people lose weight,” said Timothy Herbert, director of operations for Banding Centers of America.

Cathy Garrison at the sponsor table for Garrison Center for Healthy Living told me a little about Dr. Jordan Garrison’s services. “Dr. Garrison performs weight-loss surgery but also helps people understand how to stay healthy and lose weight.”

Later I had a chance to speak with Nicole Hecht, the event organizer, to get her take on childhood obesity. “My role is to put together the event and make everyone who comes happy,” replied Nicole.

“I think childhood obesity is definitely a problem and a growing epidemic that needs to be fixed as soon as possible,” Nicole said. “Children follow what their parents do. For example, if your parents don’t eat healthy, you wouldn’t either; but if your parents ate healthy, you would, too.”

Alyse Jefferson, 11, lives in Sparta and recently started to attend St. Peters Episcopal Church.  “I love to play basketball, write, and read books about mystery and adventure,” she says.

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