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Why focus on kids?

American children and teenagers are increasingly obese—and increasingly vulnerable to such serious but preventable diseases as type 2 diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. The cause, it’s clear, is that our children do not exercise nearly enough and routinely eat a bad diet. These unhealthy habits not only lead to obesity, but also harm kids who are living with such challenges as disabilities and cancer. In diverse, low-income, inner-city communities, children face the greatest danger.

The American Heart Association warns that, if these trends continue, the current generation of children will be the first in our history to live shorter lives than their parents.

GoKids™ Boston will help to reverse those trends.

GoKids™ Boston is focused on research, education, and community service. Each addresses the need to develop and evaluate comprehensive youth and fitness and wellness services in health and chronic disease, with specific emphasis on diverse, low income populations.

Using the latest technologies directed at young people, including “Exergaming,” the Center will provide a fun community-based resource where children, adolescents, and their families recovering from, or at risk for, chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, cancer, obesity, asthma, congenital heart disease, others) will receive guidance and support to achieve a physically active, healthy lifestyle that promotes optimal well-being. GoKids™ Boston will also offer:

• research on the promotion of physical activity, healthy eating, fitness conditioning and self-esteem in children and youth across diverse racial and ethnic underserved populations;
• activity rehabilitation for children and youth experiencing or recovering from serious medical conditions;
• evaluation and programming for elite young athletes seeking to enhance sports performance while minimizing risk of injuries; and
• training of undergraduate and graduate students in a variety of fitness, exercise science, nursing, and health-related disciplines.