Cameron Nichols, member of the Crum’s TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) traveled to Walt Disney World in Orlando Fla. to the non-profit weight loss support group’s International Recognition Days, where he was internationally recognized for his recent weightloss.

Nicholas, 9, of Crum, joined tops on Nov. 13, 2008 and since then he has lost approximately 14 pounds.

At these conventions TOPS’ members attend workshops, and are placed in various divisions. Whoever loses the most weight in each division is honored and afforded an opportunity to compete internationally.

Approximately 2,600 TOPS members traveled to Orlando for the convention.

Nichols competed in division 8, which is the pre-teen category for children ages 7-12, and won both the state and international competition.

"Cameron represented West Virginia very well, especially at a reception dinner held for the international winners where he stole the show," stated Sharon Board, TOPS area captain. "Cameron was a great example that determination and how hard work pays off."

"We are proud of him," added Oretha Marcum, Crum group leader. "We are especially proud that he got to go to Florida to be awarded internationally."

The statistics for childhood obesity are overwhelming, according to the Department of Health and Human Resources Web site, www.dhhr.org, which reads, "Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) states that it appears that overweight prevalence among our nation’s children and adolescents doubled between 1980 and 1994."

"At the beginning of the 1990s, approximately 14 percent of children in the U.S. were overweight, increasing to about 20 percent of adolescents. Preliminary findings from the most recent NHANES suggest that childhood overweight continues to increase."

Marcum stated that since beginning the program Nichols has changed his life drastically. He uses the TOPS’ dinner program, eats food with the calories pre-counted, uses portion control, limits junk food and has eliminated soda from his diet. Nichols also has a more active life and will be playing football this year.

Marcum said she thinks this has been a very positive influence in Nichols life and hopes that more youth join the program.

"If you don’t teach your children while they are young they are not going to watch what they eat when they get older," she said. "Weight is really important and watching it early could prevent future health problems."

Cameron’s mother and grandmother are also members of the TOPS’ program and since he lost his weight, his father has also joined.

Cameron has set a goal to lose more weight and attend next year’s event held in July at Halifax, Nova Scotia to represent the male preteen’s winner.

TOPS meets at Golden Springs Church in Crum for weigh-in at 10:30 a.m. and the group meets at 11 a.m. Prices to attend the meetings include children 7-17 for $13; adults $26; and spouses $13. To find a TOPS’ chapter near you visit www.tops.com.