Since First Lady Michelle Obama announced her childhood obesity campaign called “Let’s Move” in February 2009, parents have sought to enforce healthier diets upon their children and encourage them to engage in more physical activities. Specifically, youth sports are now playing an increased role in helping youth to reach maintain healthy weights. That’s why Mrs. Obama teamed up with the NFL’s Play 60 Campaign to promote exercise and fight childhood obesity.

Overweight and obesity pose many potential risks and consequences: psychological; cardiovascular disease; among additional risks including asthma, hepatic steatosis, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes. Today nearly one in five children in the U.S. between ages 6-19 are obese, and one in three are overweight. The childhood obesity rate tripled from 1980-1999 creating an epidemic and a generation where children may have shorter life spans than their parents.

Given the prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States, parents should sign their children up for flag football. As I’ve mentioned before, flag football is a safer alternative to tackle football. Moreover, kids are able to get enough physical exercise to help them reach healthy weights prior to entering adulthood. Last September, the First Lady played flag football with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, ex-Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, and many young players. Play 60 emphasizes that children should engage in physical play for an hour each day.