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A recent study gives America an "F" for fat.

According to the study conducted by "Trust for America's Health," obesity rates have increased in 16 states in the past year including Texas, but several fit conscious kids in the Rio Grande Valley are fighting those statistics.

Aliyah Medina has been training in Jiu-Jitsu for two years.

"It’s fun," she said.
She even fights with the big boys.

"It raises my self confidence when I go against the bigger guys and know that I can hold my own," she said.

At her tender age of 12, she's capable of taking down a person twice her size, but she said she wasn't always this active.

Aliyah said since training in Jiu-Jitsu, she's lost 30 pounds and has much better eating habits.

According to a study by Trust for America's Health, the Texas obesity rate is over 30 percent ranking 12th for adult obesity and 7th for childhood obesity.

Nutrition Meal Planner John Michael Renteria said during summer vacation, children have more of a possibility to gain weight.

"Since you're taking away eight hours of their day. That gives them another eight hours to eat, so it's actually very possible," said Renteria.

He said staying active and following a well balanced meal plan is key to keeping fit.

Aliyah said that's exactly what she did when introduced to Jiu-Jitsu.

"When you're done with class, you feel really good and you don't want to eat something that's going to make you feel like you didn't work out," said Aliyah.

And she said she's not alone.

"I've seen a lot of kids lose weight from this," said Aliyah.

Her coach Luis Rubalcava from Arsenal Jiu-Jitsu said once you change your lifestyle you continue to reap the benefits.

"If you stay active at a young age, chances are you are going to be active later on in life into adulthood and therefore continue that cycle with their children being active," said Rubalcava.

He said continuing that cycle could help change the statistics.

Just in case you're wondering which state ranked number one in obesity both in adults and childhood, its Mississippi and the least obese is Colorado.