Now until Aug. 1, Camp Curves will continue at Curves for Women in the Marengo Shopping Center.

Teenage girls between the ages of 12-18 years whose mothers are members of Curves will be offered the camp free of charge. The emphasis this year will be on teen obesity.

Although children have fewer weight-related health problems than adults, overweight children are at high risk of becoming overweight adolescents and adults.

Participants in the camp will learn how to exercise to maximize body fat and BMI loss. Healthy nutrition will be taught in fun, exciting ways.

According to a recent report, 14 percent of adolescents in the United States are overweight. This figure has nearly tripled in the last 20 years. There have been great advancements in home technology in the past 20 years, giving more teens an excuse to stay in the house.

Wide screen televisions, realistic game consoles and overstuffed couches have become the norm on summer vacation. Couple that with sugar-infused drinks and poor choices in diet and you&8217;ve got the makings of an epidemic.

The Curves program and others like it not only provide education about the dangers of obesity, they provide tips on how to avoid and, for those who already struggle with obesity, how to beat it. Obesity is a problem that, in most cases, can be overcome. It takes dedication and hard work, and in most cases a healthy dose of bravery.

We encourage local parents to educate themselves about the affects of childhood obesity and guard your children against it as you would the flu or any other potentially dangerous disease.