Alpharetta Student Shares First Lady's Vision to End Childhood Obesity

If 12-year-old Tiger Greene doesn't meet Michelle Obama later today, he probably won't be too disappointed. Her office suggested if the first lady's plans are too hectic during today's trip to Alpharetta that he will get an invitation to the White House.

While the first lady has the Let's Move organization, the Alpharetta student has his Team Tiger. Both are in the fight against childhood obesity.

For Tiger, the journey began when he was watching the TV show, The Biggest Loser.

Unlike adults who could find someone such as a "Biggest Loser" to look up to, he had no one. And he said children don't have control over their weight.

"They can't drive themselves to the gym, they don't choose what to eat," Tiger said.

Even schools affect their weight.

"If they give them healthy stuff, kids don't want to eat it," Tiger said.

Realizing all of this, Tiger decided to pursue a dream.

"I wanted to be the kid that all the other kids looked up to," he said.

That's when Tiger and his dad, Brian Greene, started Team Tiger. Its slogan gives a nod to the Obamas: "Yes we can. Follow me."

"If someone doesn't want to make a change, it's not going to happen. You can't force it," Tiger said.

For children, it's a bit tougher. The whole family has to get involved or change won't happen. That's how it worked for Tiger.

Team Tiger's methods are working in the Greene household.

"My sister isn't obese," Tiger said. "My little brother, he's like a twig, he's tiny. So we've gone from living to eat to eating to live."

Tiger lost 25 pounds in the first four months. He's quit taking medications that dealt with conditions caused by his weight.

"All those snickers and comments off to the side have turned to 'congratulations, you are looking great,' and pats on the back," he said.

Tiger has appeared on Atlanta TV stations and then with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, President Obama's first choice for Surgeon General, on CNN.

He's also started a healthy menu at the Wills Park concession stand, partnering with Harry's Farmers Market.

When he's not doing school work with Rivers Academy, playing sports or participating in events supporting his dream, Tiger is writing a book.

"It's about my journey, just telling kids everything from when I started," he said.

An unlikely relationship began with Buffalo Bills defensive end Marcus Stroud during all of this. Team Tiger and the Marcus Stroud Foundation will hold a wellness camp at the Georgia Dome in April, inviting 200 children to start their own journeys and give them the resources to accomplish those goals.

Children ages 7 to 15 who fall into national criteria for childhood obesity but want to share in the dream can try to get a spot in Sacking Obesity: Sports and Wellness Camp on April 16 at the Georgia Dome.

The camp isn't just for children. Family members will participate, learning every exercise, step by step, alongside the children.

Contest rules and essay entry forms can be downloaded at marcusstroudcharitablefoundation.com or teamtiger2010.com.

"When my 12-year-old said he was going to change the world, he's not kidding. He's got people like Marcus Stroud, Brian Finneran and Matt Ryan behind him. They really are going to change the world," his dad said.