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Community Corner

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in Tinley Park

Barack Obama issued a presidential proclamation recognizing September 2013 as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and Tinley Park families should consider looking toward taekwondo as way of participating in this initiative. “While most Tinley Park children are not obese, we are in danger of the scales tipping the other way,” stated Luciano Medina, President of the Illinois Taekwondo State Association.   

When asked about why this initiative was important to the ITSA, Medina cited the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IADP), which reported that childhood obesity has tripled since the 1980s. Tinley Park residents should take note that according to the IAPD website, more than 25 percent of Illinois youth from ages 12-16 are overweight. “As adults, parents, and taekwondo school owners, we feel that we have a responsibility to the Tinley Park community to raise awareness about this issue to help stop the trend that has already occurred,” Medina commented.

“This is great for Tinley Park residents,” said Bruce Harris, CEO of USA Taekwondo, which is the non-profit governing body for the sport of taekwondo to the US Olympic Committee.  “I’m glad to see the ITSA taking a stand. With taekwondo, not only can Tinley Park kids stay healthy but someday they just might find themselves competing in the Olympics because of it.” 

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