KIDS THESE DAYS:

We have a lot of overweight kids in America, but you’d never know it was a problem. We disguise the epidemic by using the words “overweight” and “obese.” Even the American Pediatric Assn. has succumbed to the use of politically correct euphemisms and is hosting a conference next year titled, “A New Spin on Childhood Obesity.”

We don’t need a new spin. We need to bring back plain talk and once again start calling these kids fat because that’s what they are.

Instead, we dress up the problem in style and call it a disease when it is not. For nearly all fat kids, their weight is a choice; one that many times is enabled by parents who feed them lousy food and allow them to watch too much TV and play too many video games.

It wouldn’t be so bad if these kids were reading when they weren’t exercising, but most are not.

Both Newport Beach and Costa Mesa are loaded with parks, many of which have swings, slides, basketball courts, baseball fields and soccer fields everywhere.

Many times, the fields are reserved for league play, but not always.

Both cities also have gymnasiums that can be reserved. In Newport Beach, the gymnasiums at the Lincoln Athletic Center, Newport Coast and West Newport can all be reserved, although in two locations, it may be tough to get an open spot.

“Lincoln is part of a joint-use agreement with the school district and it is used a lot by schools,” said Matt Dingwall of the city’s recreation and senior services department. “And Newport Coast has a full schedule.”

That leaves West Newport, which does have some limited availability.

The available slots in the three Newport Beach gyms must be reserved at least five days in advance. To make a reservation or to get more information call (949) 270-8100.

If you don’t want to wait for a gym, you can go to Costa Mesa’s downtown recreation center. The gym is open for a few hours each day for basketball and twice a week for volleyball.

The gym costs $3 per session, which is three hours. Three bucks is not bad. In 1980, I was paying $2 at a college gym in Los Angeles for the same privilege.

For more information, call the Costa Mesa department of Parks and Recreation at (714) 754-5300.

One way you can get kids away from the tube and out on a local field is to participate in this Saturday’s first Costa Mesa Community Run at Estancia High School.

This inaugural run, which organizers hope to make an annual event, is sponsored by the Brian “Bubba” Kapko Foundation and will raise money to support academic and athletic programs at four Costa Mesa Schools: Estancia High School, Costa Mesa High School, TeWinkle Middle School and Costa Mesa Middle School.

According to Run Administrative Secretary Karen Barloon the day looks to be a lot of fun for a good cause.

“The Kiwanis Club is hosting a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the police department will be landing a helicopter at the event.”

Barloon also shared the best benefit for participating in the run, “All runners get to finish on the brand new track in the stadium. They’ll be running on it before any track team.”

That’s enough for me and I will be there, huffing and puffing my way through the 5K run, which starts at 8 a.m.

Barloon gave more encouragement saying, “This is a joint-use facility [between the city and the school district] and the city has been phenomenal.”

Get your kids out of the house and down to this fun event. For more information call Barloon at (949) 515-6545 or visit costamesacommunityrun.com.

STEVE SMITH is a Costa Mesa resident and a freelance writer. Send story ideas to [email protected].