YMCA starts healthy child program for Childhood Obesity Month

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and the Volusia Flagler Family YMCA wants to support families in Volusia County to change their children’s habits through improved eating habits and increased physical activity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity has more than tripled in children and adolescents over the past 30 years. Today, obesity affects one in six children and one in three are overweight, which poses greater risks for a number of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and some cancers.

In Florida 12% of all children are considered overweight or obese.

“A family that changes together gets healthy together—building a culture of health that helps families adopt healthy habits is key to reducing childhood obesity rates,” stated Bev Johnson, executive vice president of Health Strategy, Volusia Flagler Family YMCA, in a press release. “Once a family gets the proper education and support when it comes to weight-related risks, they can work together to incorporate healthy eating habits and more physical activity and into their daily routines."

The following tips are from the YMCA:

Eat and drink healthy. Make water the drink of choice (supplemented by age-appropriate servings of low-fat milk) and make it easy for everyone to fill half their plates with fruits and vegetables by offering two or three colorful options at every meal. Feel free to mix and match fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables to provide variety. Place a full pitcher of water on the table during meals, and allow children to pour their own water.
Play every day and go outside. Kids should have at least an hour a day of unstructured play outside (when possible) and break a sweat at least three times a week by getting 20 minutes or more of vigorous physical activity. Join your children in games that get your hearts pumping and bodies moving.
Get together. Eat as a family as frequently as possible. Involve kids in meal planning, preparation and clean up. In addition, adults should take a break from electronics and spend one-to-one time each day with their kids, enjoying one another’s company.
Reduce recreational screen time. Time spent in front of a television, computer, tablet, cell phone or video games should be limited to two hours or less per day. Make a family plan to reduce screen time at home (i.e. turn off screens during meals, keep a chart, go for a walk after a meal).
Sleep well. Kids and adults need to keep a regular sleep schedule; go to bed and rise from bed within 1 hour of the same time every day. Kids are growing and need 10-12 hours of healthy sleep per night and seven to eight hours for adults.

The goal of the YMCA's Healthy Weight and Your Child Program is to reclaim your family’s health through healthier eating habits and an active lifestyle. This 12- month evidence-based program for children with obesity empowers 7-13 year olds, with the support of their families, to reach a healthy weight and live a healthier lifestyle. The program includes a Family Information Session, 16 weekly sessions, followed by four biweekly sessions, and five monthly sessions.

In addition to being healthy at home, there is a need to maintain healthy habits while attending out-of-school programs. To create healthy environments for all children the Volusia Flagler Family Y is implementing Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Standards in our before and after school programs.

To foster your child’s health, the Y strives to:

Provide a fruit and/or vegetable at all meals and snacks.
Only provide low-fat milk and water as beverages.
Serve meals and snacks family-style.
Set limits on screen time.
Provide daily physical activity (outdoors when possible).
Promote and support exclusive breastfeeding for infants.
Adults model healthy food and beverage choices and active play.
Provide parent/caregiver education to encourage healthy behaviors at home.

To learn more about the Volusia Flagler Family Y’s Healthy Weight and Your Child program please contact Randolyn Haley at 425-5210 or [email protected].