HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ – In a recent report on the nation’s health future, it was reported that Type-II diabetes will be diagnosed at a rate of 1 in 3 Americans by the year 2020. To classify this as anything other than a tragedy would be a disservice to all Americans. In many underserved populations, the rate is now 1 in 2 and increasing. These data point to the need for concerted efforts to address the problem now and engage all of us to change our behavior. 
More specifically, how do we get our kids to become engaged in physical activity to overcome this epidemic of diabetes? How do we get them moving and interested in exercise resulting in fewer diagnoses of diabetes? Public health officials in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention have funded programs across the nation to address this issue with good results but the rates of diagnosis continue to increase.
As reported on these pages several months ago ( click here for story ) there is at least one group in New Jersey who sees this as a major concern and has turned their collective attention to getting kids moving. The effort is led by Christopher Riley in Hasbrouck Heights. Riley has created the animation series, Asphalt Avengers based on a street hockey theme with Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils providing voice talent.
“It’s about reaching kids in real situations,” Riley said recently. “We want to get them engaged in healthy activities from an emotional and physical perspective.”
Riley has been working on the Asphalt Avengers for several years and has had issues making headway in the National Hockey League. To call it a labor of love is an understatement.
“We have a real problem in this country,” Riley says. “We are in danger of losing our kids to so many alternatives that lead them to becoming hooked on video games and the latest phone apps.” 
He is not the only one who sees the importance of the Asphalt Avengers.
Stan Fischler recently said of the animation series, ” Riley’s work has a ‘hat trick’ quality about it first as a cartoon that inspires young people to partake of The Game as participants and fans; secondly, it enhances the National Hockey League’s already intensive efforts to spread hockey’s gospel across the United States and Canada; and finally the fact that hockey is being promoted in art form gives the game a third-dimension making it even more familiar to the general public.”
“Bottom line is this, it’s a winner,” Fischler said.
Pushing the effort forward is the next task for Riley.
“We have managed to connect with several great people around the country who see this as a positive activity for kids and have signed on to help us out,” Riley added.
One of those efforts is a recent contest to draw kids to the animation and get them to watch the entire cartoon and absorb the messages.
“We think our new contest based on the first episode of the Asphalt Avengers will get kids coming back,” Riley said. “That means we can reinforce the message with each viewing and search for the answers to our contest questions.”
Riley and his colleagues are building on previous work by public health officials where reinforcement of health messages has a greater impact than a one-time exposure.
“We have so many potential targets with the first episode and the entire series,” Riley said describing the effort. “We are looking at bullying, gang violence, healthy life choices, physical activity, and self-respect. All of these are in the episode and kids can learn from the messages in the animation.”
The new contest for the Asphalt Avengers can be reached through this link .
“Our partners at Vengeo.com have been terrific at getting our animation and latest graphics online and getting the contest rolling,” Riley said. “Entrants into the contest will have a chance to win t-shirts and hats with the logo of the Asphalt Avengers, It is really cool.?
Every effort made to address the epidemic of type-II diabetes in the nation is helpful and Chris Riley has thrown himself into the public health arena and is committed to helping our kids.
Contact Lou.Lafrado@prohockeynews.com
Note: Pro Hockey News is equally committed to this effort and will assist where it can, including putting the Asphalt Avengers in our pages as a means to get all kids within our readership area (which means the world) to get off their phone and outside or inside an arena playing some sport if not hockey.
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