Toomer encouraged children of Sunset Park’s P.S 169, enrolled in a childhood obesity pilot program, "to eat healthy and exercise now, while you’re young, so you can be healthy later on in life, too."

The effort, entitled "Team 169 – Healthy Eating & Exercise Program," hosted by Health Plus, Lutheran Medical Center, and the Prospect Park YMCA, shares with children from Brooklyn's P.S. 169 and their parents the importance of eating healthy and exercising frequently. 

"I support after school programs.  They keep the kids off the street and keep them positive," says Amani Toomer.  "Exercise should start early; it's a great stress reliever.  Being healthy and eating right is an important part of life."

Toomer, who overcame asthma to become a professional football player, even led an exercise session that included jumping jacks, push-ups, and sit-ups, all of which the children happily participated in.  The star-struck children shared with Toomer nutritional and exercise information they learned and had the "Be Healthy Every Day" t-shirts that they designed autographed by the famous football player.

"This program gives children who struggle with weight issues confidence and the knowledge to have a healthy balance between nutrition and exercise," says P.S. 169 Principal Josephine Santiago.

Holly, a child participating in the program stated that she stays healthy by stretching, exercising, and eating the right food.  Grace, also in the program, stated that she stays healthy by not eating fatty and oily foods, drinking six to seven cups of water everyday, stretching and exercising.  And Gary, another enrollee in the program, took a cue from Amani and stated he stays in shape by playing sports, like football.

"The prevalence of childhood obesity is rising dramatically," says Margie Bowen, Director of Health Education for Health Plus. "Rates of overweight and obese children in New York City are staggering, with the Latino community particularly hard hit. We know we need to address this crisis head-on. Our childhood obesity initiative is a crucial addition to our ongoing efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve."

This multi-lingual initiative, conducted in English, Spanish, and Chinese, consists of both a physical and an educational element.  Sixty five children from grades two through five enrolled in the program.  The children are separated into two groups which they have named themselves, the "Health Magics" and the "Magic Angels".  The groups have a healthy snack and then participate in a physical activity session or a health education class.  The physical activity sessions include stretching, jumping jacks, floor exercises, and weight resistance, while the health education classes include topics such as exercise, nutrition, puberty, hygiene, the food pyramid, self-esteem, peer pressure, preventing disease, and staying fit.

"We are delighted with the partnership we have established with Health Plus, and take pride in our own Operation Healthy Kids program which focuses on health and fitness and encourages healthy lifestyles among young people.  It is through efforts like these that we are able to provide information and opportunities for kids to become aware of health and fitness issues and to take action against child obesity," said Sean Andrews, Executive Director of the Prospect Park YMCA.

Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, in suit and tie, also led the children in an exercise.  "We need to start at an early age to address good eating and exercise habits.  I am a big fan of physical education because of its impact on our community."

"This is a great program because it provides children with some time after school to lose weight, stay healthy, and meet such a great role model as Amani Toomer," says Executive Vice President for Lutheran Medical Center, Jim Stiles.

With the initiative a major success, many hope to take this program borough-wide next year.  "We are already starting to see the tremendous physical and emotional impact this childhood obesity initiative will have on these children," says Rosanna Quezada, Health Educator for Health Plus.  "Hopefully, these programs will end up being part of every school."