Sioux Falls Teens Fight Childhood Obesity

by Joel Young, Meteorologist/Reporter
September 19, 2012 10:44 PM


Childhood obesity is a growing problem for kids all over the country. It’s estimated that 3 in 10 kids are either overweight, or obese.

But it’s not a problem that’s too big for two teens in Sioux Falls. Jermaine Davis and Seth Wimmer are determined to help fight childhood obesity right here in the Sioux Empire, and that’s why we think they are someone you should know.

Both of these guys are active in the Boys and Girls Club of the Sioux Empire, along with many other extra-curricular activities. Whether they're indoors playing basketball, or outdoors playing soccer; it's rare to find these guys lounging around for long.

Seth and Jermaine were recently selected to attend the first ever Triple Play Leadership Summit at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. While they were there, they served as experts in finding solutions to fight childhood obesity in their home state.

“It gave Jermaine and Seth an opportunity to meet other Boys and Girls Club members and kind of see their peers throughout the country and know they’re part of something larger than just their club here in Sioux Falls,” says Eldon Bensen of the Boys and Girls Club of the Sioux Empire.  

And they had a blast! From meeting U.S. Women's Bronze Medal Boxer, Marlen Esparza, to rock climbing near Pike's Peak; it's an experience they'll never forget. They learned a lot both at the conference, and on their adventures.

When we asked Seth about his favorite part of the trip, he said, “Going to the Garden of the Gods. It was fun to just see all the different scenery, and the rocks, and how they just formed that way on their own.”

Of course, there was plenty of fun to be had on the trip, but it was what they learned during their breakout sessions that will help make a difference right here at home. Just by getting out and playing with their friends, they can be leaders by teach their friends what they learned at the summit.

“You need to go outside and be active instead of sitting on the couch playing video games. You need to go outside, play football… Just run around and play tag with your friends or something like that,” says Jermaine.  

And that's a lesson we could all be reminded of every once in a while...

Seth and Jermaine, along with many of the volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club, have already come up with the beginning stages of service projects that were planned while at the conference.

For more information about the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire, you can contact them at (605) 310-3656 or visit their website at www.bgcsiouxempire.org.