Jonathan Baez (front) leads Dante White (rear, second from left) and Khalima Botus-Foster (rear, middle) and other youth in a kickboxing class to help manage their weight.

Michelle Botus-Foster admits that it took some doing to break the cycle of overeating.

”Growing up,” the state social worker recalled, “we used to pile the food on. There would be a peak on your plate.”

It was little surprise, then, that her 12-year-old daughter, Khalima, was having difficulty managing her weight.

“I used to be skinny when I was in the fifth grade,” Khalima now in seventh grade, said ruefully.

But pressures at school took their toll and the pounds began to mount. Khalima says that she likes to eat; junk food and Chinese food are her favorites. Watching too much television and playing video games didn’t help matters. Full story

The ABCs of BMI

In many ways, Dante White is a typical 16-year-old boy. He likes football and basketball, and every now and then, enjoys picking up a brush and trying his hand at art.

White also readily admits that he likes to eat — Italian dishes, in particular.

“I like lasagna, spaghetti — any kind of pasta,” the ninth-grader said.

But two years ago, he started to eat “a little too much.”

He should have known better. A borderline diabetic, White had been told to watch his weight to avoid increasing his medical risks. Full story