Circus performers cheer kids on to get fit. Two clowns from the circus—Dean and Jesse—took some time to talk to our kid reporters. Read what they had to say. See what Kid Reporter Jennifer Shapp has to say about her trip to the circus. Check out Kid Reporter Jonathan Amdur's report on his visit to the newly redesigned circus. Learn what it's like to be an circus animal trainer. Check out this slideshow for pictures from under the big top. Courtesy of Feld Entertainment

The people behind Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus hope their performers will inspire kids across the country to be healthy and active. The circus—in partnership with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the President's Challenge, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington—has started a new program for kids called "Circus Fit." The goal of the program is to motivate kids to play games, exercise, and eat well.

The program was started in response to recent findings that childhood obesity rates are climbing. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight has more than doubled in the past 20 years! Being overweight can contribute to many illnesses, such as diabetes, which may develop when your body can no longer properly process sugar on its own.

"If we teach children, they will learn from an early age what they need to be healthy," said Representative Leslie Mortimer, a Republican from Michigan. "It's a lot more difficult to change once they become adults."

Circus Fit provides educators and youth leaders with lessons and fun activities that help teach kids about their bodies. There are five different sections of the lessons (each lesson only takes about 20 minutes).

The first section is called "FUNdamentals and Flexibility." It focuses on setting healthy goals and explains the basic fitness routine. The second section is called "Powerful Fun!" This section teaches kids about the major muscle groups and nutritional basics. In the third section—"Heart-Pounding Action!"—kids learn about different exercises and the importance of strengthening the heart and lungs. The last two sections are called "From Workout to WOW!" and "Ladies and Gentlemen..." In the fourth section, four basic circus skills are introduced, and in the fifth section, kids perform their own circus shows for family and friends.

Through education and entertainment, Circus Fit is working to improve the lives of young people throughout America.