What better way to encourage children to participate in a fitness program than to give them an opportunity to “work out” with one of their peers…a successful rap star at the age of 13.
Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center’s (BUHMC) Pediatric Obesity Treatment and Prevention Program, “Live Light, Live Right,” teamed up with local hip hop prodigy, P-Star, at the Brownsville Recreation Center, 1555 Linden Boulevard, to combat the alarming epidemic of pediatric obesity.
P-Star unveiled her brand new workout DVD entitled, “P-Star Works Out: Exercise Your Body & Mind,” a workout video for kids, made by a kid.
Sarita Dhuper, director of Pediatric Cardiology at BUHMC and creator of the “Live Light, Live Right” program, was joined by members of the Robin Hood Foundation at the event.
The foundation granted the program substantial funding, enabling them to further expand into the community with the program’s “Brookdale Community Partnership” which already includes such community-based organizations as the Brownsville Recreation Center, the Flatbush YMCA, the New York City Board of Education and the New York City Housing Authority, to name a few.
P-Star is a teen rap “rising superstar” who has appeared off Broadway, adorned many stages world wide; appeared in “Hijnks,” a kids show on Nick at Night with Susan Sarandon; videos and DVDs; and has just signed to be the lead on the kids show, “The Electric Company.”
Her charming and dynamic personality took command of a gymnasium full of children, teenagers and adults after being introduced by her manager, who also happens to be her father.
She spoke in detail about the problem of obesity and the importance of maintaining a healthy body and mind.
P-Star worked out with two groups from her audience and demonstrated how exercise can also be fun. After the workout she signed autographs and took pictures.
The ability to share the new workout DVD with the children of the community means a great deal to Dhuper and the “Live Light, Live Right” program.
“This enables us to continue our quest to combat pediatric obesity and educate children on how to make the correct food and fitness choices. Hopefully the lessons learned through our efforts will stay with these children for their entire life,” said Dhuper.
BUHMC is located at One Brookdale Plaza. For more about “Live Light, Live Right,” call 718-240-8325.
