Fat Joe Visits The Great Falls Teen Center

Joseph Cartagena, world renowned rapper better known as Fat Joe has become a champion for healthy communities. After losing over 100 pounds, Fat Joe has decided to join the fight against childhood obesity by speaking to youth groups and schools to share his story of weight loss. On January 24th, 2012, he came to Paterson to enlighten youth on the stark realities of being obese and the lifelong consequences of unhealthy eating. His message was simple: Eating healthy is a way of life that is often times contradictory to the culturally diverse and rich cuisines represented in urban areas. Moreover, fast food restaurants and bodegas are largely responsible for providing meals for people in cities like Paterson, and meals that are convenient and financially ideal are usually nutritiously atrocious.

Touching on all aspects of life growing up in the Bronx, and drawing parallels between his experiences and the experiences of Paterson’s youth, Fat Joe’s words were inspirational and uplifting. Bob Guarasci, NJCDC’s CEO remarked on Fat Joe’s message by saying “Access to healthy foods and physical recreation is a major obstacle for some members of our community and we are fortunate to have prominent figures like Fat Joe that encourage young people to lead healthy lives.”

Joe’s message resonated with students of Garret Morgan Academy and International High School, “When I was your age, I never thought I would be anything. If I can make it, you can make it…” His decision to make changes with regards to eating and exercise has given him a new attitude towards life. He challenged the students to join him in the fight against obesity by exercising and eating right, and encouraged them to tell their family and community members to do the same. “I believe you are the smartest generation ever,” he said. He told the students to dream big, go to college and make healthy life choices in order to reach their fullest potential.