Doctor Gets Charged About Fuel Up To Play 60

When I asked Dr. M.J. Collier, MD, A.K.A. “the Hip Hop Doc” based in Atlanta, GA to speak to family physicians at a national meeting about  Fuel Up To Play 60 (FUTP60), little did I know he would rock the house-literally.

FUTP60 is a school program grounded in decades of nutrition and physical activity experience and research from The National Dairy Council, NFL, USDA and partner organizations. When Dr. Collier gave his presentation to family physicians he started with an original rap about the program, which ignited the audience and grabbed their attention. He then proceeded to talk about his involvement in schools to support FUTP60.  Dr. Collier gave examples of how health professionals can get involved and then rallied them to do so.  It was like a light bulb went off in the audience – the big “ah ha” moment was when Dr. Collier said “you can get involved.”

One of the most exciting aspects of FUTP60 is that it encourages and provides strategies for health professionals to participate within schools.  Teachers no longer have to be the only ones in the schools giving the health messages.  Through the FUTP60 program students now hear another voice.  Research shows that doctors, athletes and other leaders in the community have influence with young people.  The FUTP60 program has strategies to bring in “heroes” from the local community to participate in nutrition and physical activity events such as the HERO breakfast. Invite your doctor to get involved in the FUTP60 program at your child’s school. 

Arlene Murrell, MS, RD, LD, CLE