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“A lot of parents don’t understand what (child and) teen obesity is,” said Shawn Haselhorst , owner and personal trainer at Gym’s Main Street Health and Fitness.

To help educate the public about how obesity affects a child’s health, Gym’s Main Street Health and Fitness, a nutrition supplement store and gym, will host a free child and teen obesity seminar Monday .

Participants will learn about nutrition, exercise and what parents can do to support their kids in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Dr. Bradley Walter , a chiropractic physician, will discuss the affect of weight issues on the spine and skeletal structure.

“Some parents come in and ask if there is anything they can give their kid because he’s too fat,” Haselhorst said. “If you start giving kids stuff for adults, it’ll do more harm than good.”

Haselhorst said kids don’t go outside and play like prior generations used to. Part of that, Haselhorst believes, is because either both parents work and don’t want their kids outside while they are away or the neighborhood they live in isn’t safe.

He also hears a lot of parents making excuses for their kids. But Haselhorst wants parents to understand, “If a kid can’t run around a baseball diamond, then there’s a problem.”

He wants parents to start encouraging their kids to live a healthful lifestyle of nutritional diet and exercise.

To do that, Haselhorst frequently works with all family members and shows them ways to be active together. A family doesn’t need a gym membership to be healthy, Haselhorst said.

Haselhorst knows what it’s like to be overweight as a kid. “I was 360 pounds, so I know what I’m talking about,” he said.

You don’t have to worry about feeling uncomfortable at the gym either. “Some people will not go to the gym because they’re not comfortable,” Haselhorst said. “We’re like family here. It doesn’t matter if you’re a 400 pound man or 300 pound woman. We’re not all born Adonises.”

Gym’s Main Street offers personal trainers, support and guidance from nutritional needs to how to properly use the weights and cardio equipment. The gym also offers a few cardio classes, from Zumba to boot camp.

With a background as a former drill sergeant and as a professional chef and nutritionist, Haselhorst said he knows what it takes to get anyone in shape.

“We offer the basics (in nutritional supplements),” Haselhorst said. “If it’s a product I don’t personally believe in, then I won’t sell it.” The store sells everything from multivitamins and supplements to sports nutrition.

“Our main thing is your success,” gym co-owner Alexei Zenger said. “We’re not going to sell something to you, you don’t need. We’re going to ask you what you’re doing and what your goals are, and then try to help you.”

Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, Ext. 241, or elizabeth. seagraves@news-record.com