Health has suddenly become an issue of importance for many Americans. Turn on any TV station, and you will see commercials that guarantee fast weight loss. What about the one that talks about a how a certain cereal is “delicious and will lower your cholesterol!”  Perhaps you’ve even heard about Barack Obama recently hiring Sam Kass - a chef known for his particular interest in healthy cuisine - to be a new White House chef.

The Teen Board of The Oliver Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Houston, is in on the game.  The Board’s purpose is to promote a healthy lifestyle in kids and teens.  The Board, which was started five years ago, advocates their motto, “YEAH!” (Youth Excited About Health!) wherever they go. They focus on spreading awareness about the “Seven Healthy Choices,” which include tips such as “have 5-A-Day servings of fruits and vegetables,” and “serve a smart portion size.” Their message is relayed at a variety of events in the Houston area; they do everything from leading activities at health fairs to giving presentations on stage before childrens’ plays.

Sophia Conti, the board’s secretary and a senior at Lamar High School, explained the mission of the Board.

“We’re a group of kids that are really interested in bettering the health of our generation and younger kids,” Conti said.  “We teach them the importance of being healthy and staying fit and making healthy choices.  We do this through outreach projects and service events - and we all love what we do.”

According to Conti, teens oftentimes have more of an influence on children than adults.

“It’s easier for us to connect with them – probably because we’re younger and kids feel that adults are too old to understand them,” Conti said.   “Additionally, they think that teens are really cool – in their point of view, we’re the big kids.”

President Maggie Wurzer, a senior at St. Agnes Academy, reaffirmed that teens have a huge influence.

“Adults can stand up there and say it as many times as they want but it doesn’t always have the same impact,” Wurzer said.

The 14 students on the board are from all different schools, private and public, and range in ages 14-18, but according to past President and Woodlands High School Senior Parker Kink, they share one thing in common – the desire to help their generation combat obesity.

“I thought it was such a great idea because obesity is such a huge problem in our society today and it starts with our generation,” Kink said.  “I joined the board to try to help that problem.”

Conti said that obesity is growing worse with children becoming increasingly at risk for all sorts of obesity-related diseases.

“I joined the Board because I feel that health is something that’s very important to our society,” Conti said.  “It’s one thing that many Americans are having trouble with - there are many problems such as diabetes and obesity; especially in children.  It’s important to spread our mission and our message to these kids and try to help them to make better choices, hopefully for the rest of their lives.”

Ronit Joselevitz, a board member who is a sophomore at The Emery/Weiner School, said that the best time to influence kids is when they are very young.

“If kids are badly influenced and start eating poorly when they are young they will probably continue bad eating habits when they are older.  Kids need to learn at a young age how to be healthy and active,” Joselevitz said.

Kink said that he particularly enjoys the annual presentation the board members give at the Children’s Theater Festival at The University of Houston.

“There are more than 500 elementary school students in the audience,” Kink said.  “We get to play with them, interact with them and talk to them as well as hand out water and healthy snacks.  They are so excited to see you and eager to learn from you.  I enjoy being a role model in their life.”

Conti said that she too believes that her favorite time she’s spent on the board has been the time she’s spent interacting with kids, promoting the teen board’s message.

“I especially like when we do our projects – such as the WATCH Health Fair coming up in March in Sugar Land,” Conti said.  “It’s at these projects that we get to go out and actually be with the kids and actively play with the them and teach them our message. That’s what we’re all about.  That’s the best part about being on this board –when we actually get to go out and be with the kids.”

All board members said that they feel they’ve helped make a difference in preventing childhood obesity.

“Schools are starting to promote healthier behavior now; you can see it happening everywhere,” Wurzer said.  “I think the Oliver Foundation definitely has an impact.”

According to Conti, being part of the teen board was one of the best things she did in her high school career.

“I feel like all the work we do really benefits those kids that get to experience it with us. I think our efforts have not only benefited the kids, but ourselves as well. It’s a really great thing.”

Joselevitz said her eating habits have changed since joining the Board.

“I’ve learned to eat better than I did before.  I’ve also learned facts about foods I would have otherwise not known,” she said.

Wurzer said she is much more active nowadays.

“I walk with my mother now, when I didn’t used to do any physical activity.  I chose to take fitness instead of P.E.  P.E. is pretty much dodge ball, but fitness is more training and physical activity,” she said.

Not only are the teens more active, but they have also learned many practical life skills such as Robert's Rules of Order, manners, etiquette, and resume writing.  Additionally, they have learned business skills such as introductions, business card use, reviewing grants, and writing.

Kink said that as a member of the Teen Board he learned to be able to deal with situations and people in a business-like setting.

 “I've been in front of the television cameras several times since being on the teen board,” Kink said.  “That’s been a pretty great experience to learn how to do an interview and converse with different people in front of the camera.”

The Oliver Foundation was founded by Cluthe and William B. Oliver.  The Oliver’s' vision for the foundation was to create an organization that promotes a healthy life and aging process though education so that individuals can enjoy a more active, informed and balanced lifestyle.

For information on the Oliver Foundation Teen Board contact the Oliver Foundation at 713-862-7899 or visit www.oliverfoundation.org. Anyone interested in serving on the teen board should e-mail sjbristow@oliverfoundation.org.