Afterschool Program Fights Childhood Obesity at Manual

PEORIA - Local students are learning how to fight against childhood obesity.

Students at Peoria's Manual Academy are taking part in a series of hands-on activities to teach them how to live a healthier life.

The program is sponsored by the American Cancer Society and Quality Quest for Health for Illinois and gives the kids healthy tips. Wednesday, students looked at alternatives to sugary drinks.

It's all an effort to get young people to take better care of their bodies and hopefully stop a major issue. "Obviously childhood obesity is a huge problem in this community particularly. So in a group setting like this, we're hoping that when they see others that kind of rubs off," said Dr. Tina Schallhorn, a pediatric dietitian at Methodist Medical Center.

The program also includes after school physical activities. The students meet nearly three times per week until November.