Weandrsquo;ve all heard the stories about the obesity epidemic running rampant throughout the United States, and the Twin Lakes Area is no exception. We love our fried food… crispy fried chicken, pulled pork smothered in BBQ sauce - and that’s just the meat portion on our plates. Then we love to add the fries, hush puppies, biscuits and gravy!

Although wonderfully tasty, eating daily in this manner can lead to serious consequences such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health related issues.

andldquo;One group that is especially hard hit are teenage children,” stated Dr. Mike Hagaman, creator of Physicians Health and Fitness. andldquo;I knew this program could help teens with their self-esteem and health,” he said.

BRMC and PHF sponsored a Teen Weight Loss Challenge for teens between the ages of 15 and 17 to do more than just combat weight. The requirements included attending a high school in the area, filling out the paperwork including why they wanted to lose weight and committing to attend all 22 weeks of the classes. One parent was also required to attend each session.

Eight students completed the 22 week program with a total weight loss of 371 pounds!

Here are some of the reasons why the students asked to participate:

andldquo;I’m so used to being a whole lot bigger that my friends that I’ve started to cover myself up with baggy clothes. I don’t want to hide anymore. I want to quit hiding.”

andldquo;I want and need to lose weight and gain health before I leave for college next year. I don’t want to take blood pressure medicine when I’m technically not even an adult yet.”

andldquo;I would like to be a role model for my dad who struggles with his weight as well. I figure if I can lose it, he will try too.”

Four of the parents who were able to complete the entire 22 week program lost over 150 pounds!

BRMC is proud of all who participated, turned their lives around by eating healthy and exercising and took on the Teen Weight Loss Challenge!