Parents across the country know that childhood obesity is one of this country’s greatest public health threats. Recess has been cut from many schools to accommodate more class time and our kids today are less physically active than previous generations due to technology.  Despite parents’ best efforts to limit their children’s screen time, many of our children also spend their free time in front of phones, TV’s or iPads or playing video games.  Getting them to go outside and run around is like trying to drag them to the opera.  This lack of physical activity has resulted in an epidemic of overweight children.  Indeed, over 17% of children aged 6 to 11 and over 20% of today’s children aged 12-19 are obese according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control. 

In an effort to do its part to help combat childhood obesity, the National Football League (NFL) started NFL Play 60 in 2007 to help encourage children to get at least 60 minutes of exercise per day.  As a part of NFL Play 60, the NFL provides resources and assistance to support youth flag football leagues throughout the country and other initiatives to help support children in being active and combating obesity.  Through youth flag football leagues nationwide like the recreational and competitive youth flag football leagues offered in the greater San Diego area by NFL Flag San Diego and its sister leagues, NFL Flag Silicon Valley and Alfred Blue NFL Flag Houston, as well as regular skills camps with current and former NFL players, NFL Play 60 is helping to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity across the United States.  This includes the San Diego area, where NFL Flag San Diego’s affiliation with NFL Play 60 offers participants in our leagues the opportunity to meet current and former NFL players, participate in skills camps offered by Hard Count Athletics, and engage in a sport rapidly growing in popularity that gives San Diego youth a chance to obtain regular exercise at both practices and games as part of small teams.

What is NFL Play 60?

NFL Play 60 was launched in October 2007.  The program’s goal as expressed on its website is simple: “To make the next generation of youth the most active and healthy.”  Not simply content to make a broad statement like this and not back it up with concrete action, the NFL has utilized significant resources, both financial and otherwise, to assist the program to achieve its goal to increase the wellness of young football fans.  NFL Play 60 is implemented at the grassroots level through the league’s NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. These include visits to schools throughout the country by current NFL players to put on clinics and skills demonstrations as well as sponsoring flag football leagues throughout the country.  The league also has donated over $200 million to youth health and wellness causes through the NFL Play 60 program in the ten years since its inception.  The NFL also highlights the initiative at all of its marquee events throughout the football season, including at the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl, and the NFL Draft. 

Participating in Flag Football and Its Role in Combating Childhood Obesity in Greater San Diego

NFL Flag San Diego offers both competitive and recreational divisions to give both male and female youth participants in our leagues the opportunity to develop their leadership and teamwork skills while also providing an opportunity for San Diego youth to be physically active.  Our coaches in both our competitive and recreational divisions are required to play each player a majority of each and every game.  Therefore, no matter whether your child participates in our recreational or competitive division, he or she will not “ride the pine” during game time.  Instead, every participant on our small teams of only five-eight other boys and girls is on the field, chasing opposing players, attempting to grab their flag, running with the football and otherwise getting physical exercise.  

Interested in a Fun and Challenging Athletic Endeavor for Your Children in the San Diego Area that Offers Year Round Fun?  Look No Further Than NFL Flag San Diego

If you are in the San Diego area and your son or daughter is interested in a way to stay physically fit while also being a part of a close-knit, small team, then consider NFL Flag San Diego.  Offering both competitive and recreational divisions in a variety of different age-group divisions, our league guarantees every player a significant amount of playing time and gives players the chance to make friends, be a part of a small, tight-knit team, meet current and former National Football League players and participate in a sport that could land your child the chance to play in a nationally televised national championship game on ESPN.  While requiring a minimum time commitment with practices only once per week and games once per week, NFL Flag San Diego offers year round opportunities for children from kindergarten through tenth grade to stay active by participating in flag football.  If you have any questions, contact NFL Flag San Diego at (760) 237-8278 or info@nflflagsd.com for more information today.