FitFactor targets Air Force children's fitness level

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brian Jones
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (USAFENS) --  While active-duty members have Fitlinxx to track the progress of their fitness activities, the youth of Incirlik can now track their physical activities thanks to a United States Air Force Services program known as FitFactor.

FitFactor is a web-based tracking system that assigns points to different activities. Participants accumulate points to reach certain FitFactor levels and earn FitFactor pins and other prizes.

“Kids can earn points for anything they do that is active,” said Ken Roberts, Youth Center director of sports and recreation. “They can get points for drinking water, eating healthy, walking the dog and even cleaning the house.”

According to the program’s Web site at www.afgetfit.com, the program is open to youth between the ages of nine and 18 who are family members of active duty, guard and reserve members of the armed forces, DOD civilians, retired military members, honorably discharged veterans and military spouses and their family members.

Youth under the age of 13 must have a parent sign a letter of consent before participating in the program, according to Mr. Roberts.

The goal of the program is to keep kids active and healthy, and because it’s tracked on the Web, tends to appeal to the younger generation, according to the youth sports director.

“We want to continuously keep our kids in the mode of staying fit -- not just sitting around the house,” said Mr. Roberts. “Since its computer based, before kids get on the computer to play a game, they can take a few minutes to log their activities.”

FitFactor can also bring parents and children together to work toward a more active lifestyle.

“It’s a team effort,” said Mr. Roberts. “Parents need to help their kids log on. It’s just like Fitlinxx, so parents can talk to their kids about it.”

Since Oct.1, when the program started, about 120 Incirlik family members have signed up. Mr. Roberts hopes that number will eclipse 200 by the time the youth basketball season gets started.

The youth sports director says the program is being very well received.

“The kids come in and want to get right on the computer. The site is very vivid and you can see their excitement,” said Mr. Roberts. “They enjoy doing it and I enjoy the smiles on their faces.”