Free soccer event aimed at fighting childhood obesity

            Free soccer clinics and other fun activities are planned for children ages 5+ during the Futskilz Soccer Training’s Fight Against Childhood Obesity from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 5, at the McCracken County Soccer Complex.

            Participants will visit different stations during the day, including soccer clinics taught by Futskilz founder Heidi Mueller, a professional soccer trainer.

            Cardiologist Patrick Withrow, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer at Western Baptist Hospital, will speak about the dangers of childhood obesity. Cardiac nurses from Western Baptist will provide educational activities on good diet and exercise choices for children.

Orthopedic surgeon Brian Kern, M.D., of The Orthopaedic Institute of Western Kentucky, will also participate.

            National surveys show that 20 percent of preschoolers and 30 percent of school-age children are overweight, with 15 percent of school-age children considered obese. In the last 20 years, the number of overweight children has doubled, while the number of obese adolescents has tripled.

            “As a professional soccer trainer and former world class athlete, I have a deep passion in ensuring kids today are making healthy lifestyle choices about their foods,” Mueller said. “It is so easy to get in the routine of fast food due to hectic schedules, and it is slowly killing our children and affecting them in so many terrible ways.”

            Sponsors are Western Baptist, The Orthopaedic Institute of Western Kentucky, Chalke Chiropractic, Thornton-Green Attorneys at Law and the McCracken County Youth Soccer Association.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. the day of the event or can be completed in advance at www.futskilz.com.