Shaq's Big Challenge, June 26th - Bigger Than He Thought
6 Florida Youngsters Try to Go From Fat to Fit
Being an overweight kid, I have looked forward to and haven't look forward to Shaq's Big Challenge. I've looked forward to seeing what Shaquille O'Neal has to help me out. I haven't been looking forward to the possible discussions it creates between me and my mother. I decided to turn it on, and I was very happy with myself.
In the opening of Shaq's Big Challenge, the first few words are powerful. These words are that our country is at war with obesity. Kids are dying younger from obesity (about 3000 kids each year). Shaq believes that the government does noting to help this. For this reason, he will be meeting with multiple government officials to stop this threat.
The first "youngster" we meet is James, 11 years old, weighs 182 pounds, and is a junk food junkie. James would like to be a wrestler when he gets older, yet he realizes he will have to be fast and strong to achieve his goal. Once we enter his lifestyle, Shaq realizes that James eats more than Shaq does. His mom even puts two whole sticks of butter in a bag of popcorn. Shaq says he will make James his captain, because he is a funny guy and has no troubles.
The next contestant is Chris, a Cuban-American. Chris is 11 years old, weights 206 pounds, and eats huge family meals. His dream is to be playing for the New York Yankees, jump over the fence, and catch a pop fly. Chris and his family, like most Cubans, eat huge meals. He believes that his main weight issue is the portion control, which I myself have a huge problem with, too. It seems as if you just can't stop. Chris, unlike myself, ignores all of the ridicule.
The next two contestants are Ariel and Kit. Ariel is 14 years old, weighs 211 pounds, and is an emotional eater, and Kit, who is 16, weighs 263 pounds, and never exercises. I can definitely relate with Airel's emotional eating factor, yet not for the same reason. Ariel overeats because her parents split up a long time ago. Her goal is to walk out of the dressing room satisfied with herself. Kit is an outsider, the one who is often considered a freak. Shaq believes that Kit is often in her own little world.
The next obesity victim is Kevin. Kevin is 13, weights 230 pounds, and is a constant overeater. His look on life is, "I might be fat, but so what? I'm smart; I'm pretty, and I believe it." Kevin would like to be a comedian one day, so Shaq starts telling him some jokes.
The final contestant is Walter. Walter is 14, weighs 285 pounds, and is a video game addict. He plays video games for a whopping five hours a day. I believe that he does this for the same reason that I do, to escape real world problems. All Walter does is sit and snack all day in a La-Z-Boy recliner. Walter admits that he is constantly made fun of. Two kids even bet on when he would quit the program. Walter then assures Shaq that he will stay in the program until the end.
We now cut to a scene of Shaq and his private health specialist, Dr. Carlon Colker, a professional trainer and physician. Shaq had asked for some help on the childhood obesity issue. Doc at first was hesitant, then warned Shaq it was going to be a tough road. Shaq uses a metaphor, saying let's pull out the ATVs.
The President's Physical Fitness Challenge is a series of tests to determine a child's health range. Doc takes our contestants out to a school's athletic field. We find out this test is made up of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and a one mile run. First up is the push-ups. Males are supposed to be able to do 15 to 40, and females 10 to 30. A lot of it is dependent on age. First up is Kit. She has never been able to do a single push-up. That hasn't at all changed. Joining her is everyone, except Kevin. He was able to do 6. I, myself, was able to do 30-40.
Next is the sit-ups. Anyone should be able to 37. While Walter is doing it, he farts on Shaq. None of the kids are healthy, but Doc tells them to keep their heads up. Next up is the one mile run. James admits that the farthest he's ever gone is 2 miles on his bike. Surprisingly, once they start running, Walter is in front, until halfway through the second lap, once pain strikes. After everyone else finishes, they go back and finish the run with Walter. Shaq notes there are six champs there, but he wants improvement.
Next, we see Shaq searching for a childhood obesity specialist. He struggles to find one, but finally does at Miami Children's Hospital. His name is Dr. William Muines. Dr. Muines has been fighting childhood obesity for 18 years. He thinks Walter is the most difficult patient because of his infantile behavior.
On the BMI tests, Kit, Kevin, and Chris are off the scale. You see everyone on the treadmill, yet all of the patients/contestants wish to stop, due to mild chest pains. Ariel fails the stress test. The doctor has one statement. "It's all a mess!" All of he patients were either obese or morbidly obese. We hear all of the results. Chris suffers from morbid obesity. He must stay active. Ariel is 100 pounds overweight. Walter's body fat couldn't be measured accurately because it was over 50%.
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