With child obesity becoming a serious problem in the United States, the Shaq Big Family Challenge proved to be a timely and unique program that dealt with the issue using a family approach. NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal or “Shaq” used his credibility and fame as a professional athlete to promote healthy eating and regular fitness activities specifically for obese children. Shaq’s Big Challenge which was a reality show, documented the progress of six overweight kids as they worked towards losing weight and shifting into a healthy lifestyle.

The web-based program Shaq Big Family Challenge is based on the reality show. It has the same features and makes use of the same methods. This sort of extension program clearly shows Shaq’s commitment to the cause of beating the problem of child obesity. With his wholesome personality and great ability to motivate kids to work hard in order to reach their goals, Shaq is the best person for the job.

This program is based on the principle of the buddy system in which partners commit to look after each other and work as a single unit to better accomplish set goals. Studies show that when it comes to weight loss, people who have a workout or nutrition “buddy” have a higher chance of succeeding. In this case, the entire family will provide support and motivation to each other. Thus with this program Shaq challenges “you to help your family eat better, get active and lose weight.” Aside from group support, Shaq also provides online tools to guide participants towards success.

What is impressive about this program is that it is not only focused on weight loss. For obese children, it can be a life-changing experience. The program teaches them how to live a healthy lifestyle and provides them with life-long tools to build upon to ensure that they permanently adopt the new healthy lifestyle they have started. Aside from the health issues, obese children also suffer emotionally and
psychologically. Because of the ridicule from peers, many of these children have low self-esteem. The Shaq Big Family Challenge not only helps an obese child overcome his fat issues but it also enables him to heal his emotional wounds allowing him to become happy and to have a healthier self-esteem.

The program provides nutrition and fitness tools to the parents. The nutrition tools include daily meal suggestions, kid-friendly recipes, grocery shopping guides, a database of food stats, a supermarket cheat sheet, cooking tips, and tips for picky eaters. In addition, there is also an Eating-out Guide and a Fast-Food Cheat sheet. These practical tools show that Shaq’s approach is realistic and workable.

The fitness tools on the other hand include a healthy weight calculator, interactive weight trackers, a kid’s daily workout and 25-minute workouts for adults, a family fitness log, an activity calculator and a physical fitness scorecard.

The Shaq Big Family Challenge website is designed with a goal in mind. It is very well-organized and visually tasteful and appealing. Included are materials that teach adults how to motivate their kids as they travel down the road to weight loss success. Aside from the tools, members are also provided with an e-mail newsletter which contains updated nutrition and fitness information and tips. A special feature is the inspiring daily motivation sent from Shaq’s team. He shows his support by reminding them that they are not alone in the journey towards their goal.

The site also offer parents the tools needed to ensure that their overweight children do not become overweight adults. Through the website, parents not only get the moral support they need but it also empowers them with the foundational knowledge they need in order to help their children become healthy, active, and aware of the importance of their health.

The website currently offers a Free Family Report Card. Adults can enter lifestyle information about their family and in turn receive an e-mail which details the family’s goals based on the information submitted.

Positives

• Website is informative, well-organized, and easy to navigate
• Program is offered at a very affordable price
• Participants are provided with family weight loss tools
• Program is based on sound principles

Negatives

• Website is often busy because of high traffic
• Current membership price may only be offered for a limited period

An obese child needs immediate help. It is a problem that cannot be ignored or taken lightly. Overweight children are likely to grow into overweight adults. There are serious health consequences related to obesity such as a dramatically shortened lifespan, a higher risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other health conditions. We are very impressed with the Shaq Big Family Challenge. It is based on sound principles that empower and motivate families to work together confidently towards their goals.
This program will not only enable a child to win his battle against obesity with the help of the rest of the family, but it will also allow the members to become even closer as they move into a new life that puts an emphasis on health, happiness, and the well-being of the children.