Karate kid wins Monty's crusade

Shaniqua Sane and anti-obesity crusader Betham. Photo / Doug Sherring

Shaniqua Sane is the biggest loser - with the help of former league player and boxer Monty Betham.

The 16-year-old dropped the most weight among the first batch of youngsters taking part in Betham's crusade against New Zealand's obesity epidemic.

She was one of 10 teens who signed up for his Steps For Life programme, which combines exercise, nutrition and psychology with family support. All were 13-18 and clinically classified as obese.

Shaniqua weighed 111kg when she started but lost 9kg in just three months.

Her heavy 160cm frame had prevented her from competing in her favourite sport, karate.

"The weight was bringing me down a little bit and I want to make the Oceania team," she said. "Now I'm more energised and in school I'm really focused."

Before the programme, Shaniqua often skipped meals before eating takeaways in the evening. Now she's eating home-cooked food and healthy snacks.

Betham battled with his weight as a child but changed his life through exercise.

"I was on my way to becoming obese before my parents took me to karate and it turned my life around," he said. "I know I can help these kids. This is one more shot before they get to adulthood."

One in five Kiwi kids aged 2-14 is overweight and one in 12 obese.

www.stepsforlife.co.nz