By Michael Farwell
“I used to ride on the bus in the morning and the kids would tell the bus driver to stop at Dunkin Donuts so I could get several thousand munchkins.”
Ten year old Tom McKenney was not your average fourth grader. Standing at 4 feet 10 inches tall while weighing in at a whopping 145 pounds, McKenney was often referred to as the human bowling ball.
“I was in the fourth grade at the elementary school in Canton, Mass when I started to put the weight on. I blame myself, you have free will. I also blame the daily mayo sandwiches, chips, ice cream, and my television; I spent hours watching the Magic School bus.”
McKenney was a perfect example of a common issue today in America; Childhood Obesity. According to The U.S. Childhood Disease Control Center 17 percent of America’s youth, ages 6 to 11 were considered obese. The obesity in ages from 12 to 17 also grew up to 17.6 percent. McKenney decided to not be a part of that percentage and decided to change.
“I looked like a young John Candy and used to eat those little cream shots you put in your coffee, it was disgusting.”
It was when McKenney returned to baseball, realizing that he didn’t want to be fat anymore. “I started daily exercises on this absurd machine in my basement that my Dad used to use. The machine was strange but it worked, I ended up losing 45 pounds in six months.”
He noticed more changes, lost weight and gained confidence. Today in the United States childhood obesity is a growing problem. With obesity come medical issues and many complications that can put a damper on the lives of the over-weight. Today the National Association of Children’s Hospitals said that “16 percent of children (over 9 million) 6-19 years old are overweight or obese -- a number that has tripled since 1980.” With obesity come other medical issues such as, Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, Cancer, High Blood Pressure, Liver Disease, and other unfortunate medical complications.
“There is a way out. I know that all of these studies have come out saying that obesity is genetic and for some people they cannot control it. Maybe that is the case for a few individuals but the majorities are overweight because of their habits. It is one thing to be out of shape; however, it is another to be overweight.”
"First of all, don’t quit Little League, stay active, play sports or do something. Do not sit around and be lazy, in the long run it isn’t worth it. I suffered countless hours of teasing due to my excessive weight. It is much easier to stay in shape and avoid the unwanted pounds, plus it is healthier for you.”
McKenney, now a Stonehill College sophomore plays intramural sports and heads to the gym at least four times a week. He eats healthy and continues to live a healthy lifestyle keeping off the weight that once plagued him.
Ten year old Tom McKenney was not your average fourth grader. Standing at 4 feet 10 inches tall while weighing in at a whopping 145 pounds, McKenney was often referred to as the human bowling ball.
“I was in the fourth grade at the elementary school in Canton, Mass when I started to put the weight on. I blame myself, you have free will. I also blame the daily mayo sandwiches, chips, ice cream, and my television; I spent hours watching the Magic School bus.”
McKenney was a perfect example of a common issue today in America; Childhood Obesity. According to The U.S. Childhood Disease Control Center 17 percent of America’s youth, ages 6 to 11 were considered obese. The obesity in ages from 12 to 17 also grew up to 17.6 percent. McKenney decided to not be a part of that percentage and decided to change.
“I looked like a young John Candy and used to eat those little cream shots you put in your coffee, it was disgusting.”
It was when McKenney returned to baseball, realizing that he didn’t want to be fat anymore. “I started daily exercises on this absurd machine in my basement that my Dad used to use. The machine was strange but it worked, I ended up losing 45 pounds in six months.”
He noticed more changes, lost weight and gained confidence. Today in the United States childhood obesity is a growing problem. With obesity come medical issues and many complications that can put a damper on the lives of the over-weight. Today the National Association of Children’s Hospitals said that “16 percent of children (over 9 million) 6-19 years old are overweight or obese -- a number that has tripled since 1980.” With obesity come other medical issues such as, Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, Cancer, High Blood Pressure, Liver Disease, and other unfortunate medical complications.
“There is a way out. I know that all of these studies have come out saying that obesity is genetic and for some people they cannot control it. Maybe that is the case for a few individuals but the majorities are overweight because of their habits. It is one thing to be out of shape; however, it is another to be overweight.”
"First of all, don’t quit Little League, stay active, play sports or do something. Do not sit around and be lazy, in the long run it isn’t worth it. I suffered countless hours of teasing due to my excessive weight. It is much easier to stay in shape and avoid the unwanted pounds, plus it is healthier for you.”
McKenney, now a Stonehill College sophomore plays intramural sports and heads to the gym at least four times a week. He eats healthy and continues to live a healthy lifestyle keeping off the weight that once plagued him.
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