Proponents in the fight against childhood obesity have just gained a new teammate. Shaquille O’Neal has announced that he will help launch a reality show to help overweight children.

The Miami Heat basketball star will appear in six episodes of the untitled ABC show, which is being modeled after Britain’s reality weight loss show, Ian Wright’s Unfit Kids. The show will feature elementary and junior high school students in Florida. The focus of the show will be to help children live more active and healthy lifestyles. It will air this summer.

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States. More than 10 percent of children in Florida are overweight. Children who are overweight or obese are at a much greater risk of health conditions like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, as well as shorter life spans.

Shaq is the perfect spokesperson for this cause because is a father of six children and a role model and idol to many other children. He deserves big kudos for taking on the challenge.