FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Alisha Rappaport, Live Light Live Right
516-984-6865
alisha@livelight.org
Katherine Kostreva, Knockout Obesity
727-492-6421
Katherine@onpointpublishing.com
BROOKLYN, NY (April 15, 2015) — Childhood obesity has steadily increased over the years, becoming a major health crisis that has more than doubled in children since the 1970s. Children living in NYC’s most vulnerable communities face obstacles that hinder healthy and active lifestyles. High crime rates, shortages of open spaces, scaled back physical education programs in public schools, and an increased focus on standardized testing contribute to childhood obesity.
In March, Brooklyn-based charity, Knockout Obesity and Live Light Live Right , will launch its combined first year-long program at the CAMBA East New York Beacon Program, located at The Van Siclen Community Middle School (800 Van Siclen Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207). Knockout Obesity supports community centers serving low-income neighborhoods, by providing a course blueprint and professional boxer to teach each class. Boxing equipment is donated to participating community centers, and existing staff is trained to sustain the program year round. “We are very excited for the opportunity to partner with Knockout Obesity and offer our children this energetic boxing program, said Dr. Dhuper, Founder and Executive Director, Live Light Live Right. We are looking forward to experiencing the year long program at our partner location, CAMBA ENY Beacon.”
“About two out of every five Head Start and elementary-age children in this community are obese or overweight,” said Joanne M. Oplustil, President and CEO of CAMBA. “Programs like Knockout Obesity and Live Light Live Right are putting children on the path to a lifetime of healthy living.”
Charity founder and Brooklyn restaurateur, Dimitrios Verteouris, personally contributes to the semi-weekly KO classes, engaging participants in 45 minutes of non-contact, boxing-based training. Following the fitness component, Knockout Obesity institutes a 15 minute nutrition lesson, from its 36-week nutrition education curriculum designed to promote the 13 healthy eating outcomes outlined in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT).
ABOUT KNOCKOUT OBESITY
A former cast member on Food Network’s reality show, Fat Chef, Dimitrios Verteouris lost 82lbs in three months using boxing and his own good eats at Nature’s Grill. He founded Knockout Obesity to make an immediate and lasting change in NYC’s least served communities through a three-prong strategy that focuses on Physical Fitness, Nutrition Education, and Capacity-Building. Last year, Knockout Obesity was the recipient of a $25,000 donation from Two-Time and Two Division Boxing World Champion and NABF Welterweight Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi. Knockout Obesity has been featured by ESPN, The Insider, New York Daily News, New York Post, Metro NY, Hot 97 and more. www.KOobesity.com
ABOUT LIVE LIGHT LIVE RIGHT:
Live Light, Live Right is a Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, a community-based partnership, non-profit 501(c)(3), serving overweight and obese children ages 2-19. Nearly half of the children in the program are those who live below the poverty line; suffer from a BMI >95th percentile or are at high risk of developing diabetes or other serious chronic diseases. By providing free or highly subsidized services, Live Light has already helped over 3,000 children improve their diet, exercise habits, and their health. www.livelight.org
About the CAMBA East New York Beacon Program
The goal of the CAMBA East New York Beacon Program is to bring in resources and provide services that address the needs of youth, adults, and community members in East New York. Participants of the Beacon program and their families are encouraged to take advantage of the comprehensive academic enhancement, career awareness, life skills, community building, and recreational activities provided at the program. In addition to youth development CAMBA’s ENY Beacon is committed to serving the whole family and engages parents in their child’s academic and social development. www.camba.org
About CAMBA
CAMBA is a nonprofit organization that provides services that connect people with opportunities to enhance their quality of life. Started in 1977, CAMBA offers integrated services and programs in: Economic Development, Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Health, Housing and Legal Services. CAMBA serves more than 45,000 individuals and families, including 9,000 youth, each year. Learn more about CAMBA’s life-changing services at www.camba.org.
