One hot Atlanta day, my middle school class went on a nature walk, picking up trash along the way. I tried to keep up, but after about 25 yards, I started panting and sweating. My leg muscles ached from the unusual strain, and I thought I might pass out from heat exhaustion. My teacher saw that I was struggling and asked if I was OK. I shook my head, and he stopped the entire group so I could rest.

I was humiliated when my class crowded around to see if they could help. It was a miserable day.

After school, Mom asked, “How was your nature walk?”

“Fine,” I told her. “We had a great time.” As an obese kid, you learn to be a good actor.

Most obese teens live double lives, just like I did. At home, they’re happy and outgoing. At schoo...

Kyle Harris
OAC Community Member living in Texas

I struggled with my weight for years and years. I watched the scale slowly creep to more than 300 pounds and then more than 400 pounds. From childhood, I watched my father struggle with his weight for years. I developed obesity-related conditions such as Sleep Apnea, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. I couldn’t bend over to tie my own shoes without getting dizzy and/or out of breath. I couldn’t walk 100 feet without running out of breath. Enjoying outdoor activities was out of the question because I would get overheated quickly. I couldn’t play with my granddaughter the way I wanted to.

I made allowances for my obesity. I would drive around a parking lot looking for the closest spot to the entrance so I wouldn’t have to walk so far. I always requested a tab...