Splash & Dash Fights Childhood Obesity

With more video games to play and more fast food chains to crave, childhood obesity is becoming a real problem in our state. However, the Greenville Aquatics and Fitness Center is taking a stand against childhood obesity by hosting the first ever kids triathlon in eastern North Carolina.

Kids between the ages of six to fourteen years old took part in the Splash and Dash! From swimming to biking to running, Nine on Your Sides Laura Vesco captured it all and explains why it’s so important for these kids to hit the pavement.

“It sounded really fun and I love to swim bike and run,“ says six-year-old Jenna Rupp. It’s a good thing Jenna likes all three because boy did she have a workout in store for her!

It began with intense laps in the pool then a mad dash to jump on a bike, after a few laps kids traded in their bikes for a drink of water while hitting the ground running! While kids were there for a good time the Splash and Dash serves a bigger mission.

Barbara Avery a recreation supervisor for the City of Greenville says, “Kids are becoming fatter and fatter and they’re developing a lot of the adult issues that they shouldn’t be developing at a young age.“

So getting children on their feet can prevent serious problems. Avery says, “You take the physical activity away and then you add a diet that’s high in fat and calories, the end results will be kids that are gaining weight.“

As each competitor got one step closer to the finish line you could see a sense of accomplishment in their eyes and hopefully the start to a very healthy habit.

All proceeds from the Splash and Dash will go the Pitt County Special Olympics. Right now they are expecting to raise $3,000!