Wholistic Growth for Generations hosted the “Stomp Out Obesity” Step Show at Florida A&M University’s Jake Gaither Gymnasium to educate people on the rise of childhood obesity.
This past weekend, tickets were five dollars for students with Rattler Card identification.
Levander Thomas, a public relations student at FAMU and team leader for WGG from Arlington, Ga., hopes that the event will raise awareness of obesity in the Leon County community.
“The main purpose of the ‘Stomp Out Obesity’ Step Show is to spread awareness of childhood obesity and ways to prevent it from happening, especially to the youth,” Thomas said.
Chelsie Lyons, a fourth-year health care management student from Tallahassee, Fla,, is the social media team leader for WGG. Lyons has high hopes that this event can also inform people of WGG.
“My expectation is for people to be informed that there is a near and ready resource willing to help change around this obesity epidemic.” Lyons said
Wholistic Growth for Generations is a non-profit organization founded by Kraig McHardy, a FAMU alumni, to educate people on the importance of health and nutrition. WGG also contains school programs encouraging health education and physical activity initiatives.
According to the Center for Disease Control, more than one-third of U.S. adults are obese. In Florida, between 30 and 35 percent of African Americans are obese.
In children and adolescents ages 2-19 years old, approximately 17 percent have suffered from obesity.
In addition to step performances, there will be an appearance from Leonard Larramore, a former NFL player for the Buffalo Bills and the Carolina Panthers. The keynote speaker will be a former Miss FAMU and resident physician, Candace White, MD.
Stomp Out Obesity event coordinator co-chair, David Johnson, hopes that people are receptive to what White has to say.
Johnson, a senior chemical engineering student from Pittsburgh, Penn. said, “Dr. White was chosen to speak because we hope that she can teach FAMU about health. She can encourage and let them know how beneficial these lessons are to life.”
“She’s passionate about empowering the community with health education,” Thomas added.
Though this is Johnson’s first event, he has high expectations for the turnout.
“I expect it to be big,” Johnson said. “I want it to give us great results. This is my first event and I want all of FAMU to come out.”
WGG has also arranged for vendors to be present selling health-related foods and skin care.
In addition to that, Lyons added that there will be much more in store.
“Aside from our illustrious keynote speaker, we will also be having raffles, giveaways, and introductions from the various WGG team leaders,” Lyons said.
For more information on the WGG and ‘Stomp Out Obesity’ step show, visit their website or Facebook page. WGG is also looking to receive donations for this event and future endeavors. Interested patrons can contact Vendor coordinator Davquavia Marion at dq1439@yahoo.com.