Because research has shown that obesity in children today has tripled in the last 20 years and is becoming perhaps the biggest threat to the health and welfare of future generations,

I tell children from all over the country that it?s good to eat healthy and nothing to be ashamed about. They know me from the Subway commecials and can relate to what I?m saying. Here at the Little League World Series you have a great age group that I?m sure wants to stay healthy, but not all are sure how to do it. Ultimately they make the decision, but parents need to educate their children on what?s good and not good to eat.

I know how hard it is to lose weight and maintain an active lifestyle. But I didn't do it alone and others don't have to either. Staying motivated took a daily commitment to myself and the support from family, friends and experts. Now, through the SUBWAY(R)'s 'Fresh Resolutions' support program, I want to help people stick to those resolutions of maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle in January and throughout the rest of the year.

I know how long it took me to lose my weight, and people have got to understand it?s not always easy. If all this can help one child, we are doing our job.

Hopefully I can help them in some way.

California is facing an obesity epidemic, ... And more and more, children are becoming part of the problem.