Local Man Helps Kids & Adults Battle Obesity

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Childhood obesity continues to be a major problem in the United States.

David DiPlasquale of Coconut Creek battled obesity and bullying as a child. But he changed his life and has now created a program to help kids, men and women to lose weight and get back on track.

"I was always tormented for being overweight," said DiPlasquale.

He keeps old pictures of himself as a reminder of what he used to look like as a kid.

"I really didn't care at that young of an age, but it was in the back of my mind that I really didn't like being overweight, but boy, I really enjoyed eating those foods," said DiPlasquale.

Growing up, DiPlasquale remembers being picked on his size.

"Always bullied, yeah. There was always someone doing something not nice to me. And my nickname because I'm DiPlasquale, I was Depot. Depot meaning a large individual."

DiPlasquale is no longer looked at as "depot" for his size. He used the nickname and bullying as fuel to work and study health and fitness to change his body. He would go on to win body building competition after competition. His trophies and pictures are reminders of his own personal journey and rewards of overcoming obesity.

"I was powerless you know, when I was struggling trying to figure things out. But with my brain and studying and taking in information from everywhere that I learned, I gave myself empowerment, I studied nutrition on my own, plus what I learned and created the most amazing way to get in shape," said DiPlasquale.

His plan is called "Get On Track Fitness" and it has changed the lives of thousands of people especially kids who, like him, battle weight issues. "

"I'm trying to help young kids in schools now that was like I was when I was a kid. Changing lives, I mean crazy changing lives of young and old people that are retiring getting healthy," said DiPlasquale.

DiPlasquale's program includes a unique nutritional routine that doesn't require the person to stop eating tasty food.

"It's effortless, it's just a plan of action," said DiPlasquale. "There's a science to it that I studied. But every year, I refined and refined how to get in better shape without feeling restricted in foods that we should be eating."

His plan does require exercise of at least an hour a day walking on the treadmill up and down an incline. And it's a program DiPlasquale believes anyone can transform their body no matter what age.

"You have to be dedicated to change your life. The older you get, the harder it is to accept change. But if you do accept change, behind change is hidden opportunity and this is where we are successful."