Bucs Anthony Gaitor has partnered Project LINK' in an initiative designed to help Hillsborough County Public School students of all ages improve their health and quality of life through healthy living. The goal is to spread the message that daily fitness activities, healthy eating, living smoke/Drug-free and participation in sports are all key parts of a healthy lifestyle.

Anthony Gaitor, a second year veteran who plays cornerback for the Bucaneers states, "I'm thrilled to be involved with a local agency that supports fitness and wellness for youth". "My personal goal is to reach as many students as possible to teach them better eating habits, share fun activities they can do to stay in shape, and encourage living a healthy lifestyle", he continued.

According to recent studies, the problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat.

Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. The annual cost to society for obesity is estimated at nearly $100 billion. Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise.

Tina Young, the executive director of Project LINK states," Our program is designed to provide education and skill practice about how to resist foods and beverages high in calories and low in nutrients, promote incorporating physical activity into core subjects at school, and partnering with schools to make their facilities available for physical activity beyond school hours and promote their use by families".