The Reyes Brothers
November 27, 2019Kid’s Fit is where the Reyes boys learned they really can do push-ups. The oldest, Daniel, is up to 253, Matthew is up to 100, and even the youngest, Mario, can do 17. Kid’s Fit is a free, twice-weekly, after-school program, developed by Holy Cross Health in 2006 to combat childhood obesity, identified in studies as one of the region’s most serious health problems.
Between exercises and practicing their favorite sport, soccer, the boys get Kid’s Fit tips on healthy eating, which they share with their mom, Keni Melgar. Keni explains, “Daniel stopped drinking chocolate milk because he’d learned it contained a lot of sugar, and he stopped asking for junk food at the grocery store.” Daniel agrees, “I especially ask my mom to buy apples.”
The program teaches kids early in life how to make healthy choices and maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. Targeting kids who face financial and other barriers to good health, Kid’s Fit is offered by Holy Cross Health in partnership with the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) of Montgomery County at five HOC sites.
At Kid’s Fit, the Reyes brothers discovered they can run—a whole mile, little Mario included.
Kid’s Fit trainer Keith Federman has seen the program move kids’ lives ahead. As a result of the healthy behaviors they’ve learned, participating kids have gone on to play team sports, graduate from high school, and for some, attend college. Daniel already is looking to the future. Beyond playing on the middle school soccer team, he’s planning to become a computer hardware engineer. He knows he can do it.
Partnering to Create Healthy Behaviors
More than 60 percent of Montgomery County and 70 percent of Prince George’s County residents, including children, are overweight or obese, with rates highest among African Americans and Latino Americans. Obese children and adults are at greater risk for cardiovascular, orthopedic and other health problems.
Holy Cross Health has joined forces with organizations that share our commitment to reduce our community’s high rates of obesity. Together, we are:
- Working to reduce obesity, promote tobacco-free living, and address social factors affecting health in four Montgomery County communities through the Transforming Communities Initiative. In partnership with the Institute for Public Health Innovation and Healthy Montgomery.
- Helping Local School Wellness Councils in four Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) become more effective advocates for improved students’ nutrition, food security and physical activity through the Transforming Communities Initiative. In partnership with Healthy Montgomery Eat Well Be Active School Work Group; MCPS; Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services; and Maryland Department of Education, University of Maryland School of Medicine.
- Providing dozens of health and wellness classes, health screenings, fitness and wellness tools, and special events—many free—close to where people live through Holy Cross Health Community Health programs. In partnership with a diverse group of more than 100 community organizations.
- Engaging Montgomery College employees in health education and fitness to improve health and better manage chronic disease through the Next Generation Wellness program. In partnership with Montgomery College.
- Stocking Holy Cross Health vending machines with healthy snacks and beverages low in sugar and high in nutrition.
All three of the Reyes boys are actively involved in Kid’s Fit, and their mother is a patient of the Holy Cross Health Center in Gaithersburg. Daniel and Matthew received prenatal care at Holy Cross Hospital’s OB/GYN Clinic, and both boys were born there.