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"Put Play in Your Day" at Greenwich Family YMCA During the Nation's
Largest Health Day for Children
March 21, 2007 - The Greenwich Family YMCA will join more than 1,500 YMCAs nationwide in the 16th annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 14. An opportunity for kids and families to "Put Play in Their Day," this event uses free, fun, engaging and creative activities to encourage children and families to adopt behaviors that support a healthy lifestyle. YMCA Healthy Kids Day is part of YMCA Activate America, a national initiative designed to help children and adults discover and sustain healthier ways to live.
Unhealthy eating and physical inactivity are associated with an increased risk of a number of chronic health conditions including overweight and obesity. In fact, the percentage of young people who are overweight has tripled over the last 25 years. In 2005, a panel of experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that school-age children should participate in moderate to vigorous activity for a minimum of 60 minutes a day. Studies have shown that children who develop healthy exercise and eating habits while they are young are more likely to continue to lead healthy lifestyles through adulthood.
"The need is as strong today as ever before," said Angela Rende, YMCA After School Program and Camp Director. "Families are under increased stress and struggle to balance work, family and health. More physical activity through play helps children better manage stress, succeed in school, reduce frustration, build energy and, most of all, learn skills that encourage a lifetime of activity."
Activities taking place for during YMCA Healthy Kids Day will include sampling healthy snacks from Whole Foods Market, bouncing on the Big Fun Run, family swim and active games. Registration for summer programs also will take place at the event. Parents can get connected by participating in activities with their kids. A free YMCA giveaway for parents with tips on raising healthy, active kids will available.
"For more than 150 years, YMCAs have developed initiatives and programs that have helped improve the physical, social, emotional and spiritual health of millions for Americans in diverse communities across the country," said Rende. "Participation in YMCA health and wellness programs such as Healthy Kids Day provides kids and families a chance to build friendship and community, a sense of well-being and confidence and improved physical, mental and cognitive abilities."
In addition to hosting YMCA Healthy Kids Day, as an Activate America YMCA, the Greenwich Family YMCA is supporting healthy living throughout the community. Specifically, at the After School program, the K-5th graders at North Mianus, New Lebanon and Hamilton Avenue schools have been participating in a year-long fitness challenge based on the President's Council on Physical Fitness guidelines. Each month, the children do a series of activities to measure improvement of their physical skills.
"Our goals are increase the level of physical activity, improve the nutritional quality of the food served and teach the children good health habits," said Rende. "We focus on making it fun and non-competitive. The older children have been really great about buddying with the younger kids. I think that's a great outcome," said Rende.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day is supported by the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, American Public Health Association, American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. YMCA Healthy Kids Day is generously sponsored by companies dedicated to improving the health and wellness of American kids and families, including the Disney Channel, Kellogg's Corporate Citizenship Fund, the Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Tropicana.
For more information about YMCA Healthy Kids Day, call Angela Rende at 203-869-3381 or visit www.gwymca.org.
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