Mission
Our mission is simple: We want to change the lives of all young people, not just teenagers, by getting them moving, enjoying healthy foods, and feeling good about themselves.
Changing habits and building self-image should start as young as preschool. We recognize that in order for young people to change their habits and attitudes, they need emotional support, activities that are challenging and fun as well as educational. They also need counseling, self-evaluation and feedback. Music, computer-assisted learning and one-on-one coaching are just some ways that we help participants get and stay encouraged.
Who we are
The National Association on Teen Fitness and Exercise (NATFE) was created in 2002 to take action on behalf of overweight young people and their families. NATFE is a District of Columbia based not for profit organization. We aim to improve the health status of young people and their families, through empowerment, by providing the opportunity to participate in accessible and culturally sensitive programing. These programs involving physical activity and nutrition education in collaboration with local organizations. To provide these services to the community, we have partnered with cities, youth based organizations, existing schools, homeless shelters, community organizations and faith-based organizations.
Goals
The goal of NATFE is to expand and enhance communities, states, and the nation's effort to create a society of healthy and fit young people. Our programs are guided by an integrated social support system. Through initiatives that seek to build local collaborations we can:
- Raise the awareness about the prevalence of obesity in young people
- Educate communities about the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition
- Engage decision makers to encourage adoption of policies to promote community- based strategies that support healthy eating and increased physical activities
- Emphasize polices and environments that ensure access to healthful food choices and opportunities for physical activities
- Provide fitness and nutrition education programs to young people and their families in schools, shelters and other places with limited resources
- Develop programs that provide support services to young people who are currently obese or at risk of obesity
- Develop innovative physical activity and nutrition education programs
- Raise the self esteem and self worth of young people so they can be productive citizens
Services
We offer workshops to fitness professionals, health facilities, youth-based service organizations, schools, coaches, and youth that emphasize proper fitness and exercise, nutritional information and self-awareness development. We also offer certification workshops for fitness professionals on age-appropriate protocols and techniques for training youths in fitness and nutrition.
Educational workshops:
These workshops will emphasize proper fitness and exercise for teens as well as the latest nutrition education that promote good health. These workshops are provided to fitness professionals, health facilities, youth service organizations, schools, coaches, and young people.
Certification workshops:
These workshops will emphasize proper protocols and techniques for training youth ages 10-19, highlighting contraindicated exercises, proper nutrition, and proper exercise technique that is safe, age appropriate, and age specific.
Annual Meeting:
A yearly meeting will be hosted and organized by the agency to report best practices and research findings associated with teen fitness and exercise. This conference will target professionals as well as youth to come and learn about proper exercise, nutrition, and fitness.