In Germany, every fifth child is overweight. The initiative “SMS. Be smart. Join in. Be fit." seeks to counteract this development and has obtained support for this endeavor from one of the leading tennis clubs in Düsseldorf. With its qualified trainers and excellent training program for young people, the tennis club Rot-Weiss Düsseldorf has long been active in youth work. Here at the competitive sports training centre near Grafenberg Forest for the Düsseldorf tennis district, the top tennis kids/teens of the region are trained. Since the beginning of this school year, the Rot-Weiss Düsseldorf tennis club has been supporting the SMS initiative and has invited children to a tennis “taster” training session. To make the training lots of fun for the children, they use age-appropriate rackets and play on a junior tennis court. The sessions are led by former Bundesliga player Michael Heussen. “Tennis as a sport not only develops physical coordination, but also encourages a spirit of togetherness and promotes relaxation and social interaction,” said president Dr. Thorsten Bandel. “Tennis is particularly suited to motivate children to adopt a healthy lifestyle, since it combines fitness and concentration,” said project leader Professor Karsten Müssig.
 
“SMS. Be smart. Join in. Be fit.", an initiative led by Professor Müssig in Düsseldorf and Cologne primary schools, seeks to counteract obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases in childhood and adolescence. The participating children receive extra lessons on nutrition in cooperation with the Educational Center for Dietary Assistants of the Kaiserswerther Diakonie and take part in the exercise program for primary schools “Fitness for Kids” developed by sports scientist Prof. Dr. Kerstin Ketelhut. The two health insurance companies IKK classic and KKH, the organization diabetesDE - German Diabetes Aid, the Sports Department of Düsseldorf and other renowned partners and prominent people support the project and provide the participating school children with additional attractive venues for learning outside of school. The patron of the initiative is Thomas Geisel, mayor of the state capital Düsseldorf.

Further iInformation about the initiative (German only): www.sms-mach-mit.de