7/31/2019 YMCA Newsletter July 2012. Part 1

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THE Y FOCUSES ON HEALTHY LIVING

Youth obesity and its long-term impact on lifelong wellness continue to be a majorhealthcare issue locally and nationally. The Y offers programs that encourage kids to stay

physically active during the summer months. We introduce children to new physical activitiesto offset weight gain and also help them to establish healthier habits. Through your support,

these Y programs are made possible to all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay.

KAISER PERMANENTE HELPS CHILDREN GET A HEALTHY START

Start For Life increased moderate to vigorous activity among 1,200 students this year and

was a great health benefit to teachers like Meagan Williams and Kari Pennington (photo L-R)of the YMCA Paulding Early Childhood Development Academy.

The Start For Life program helped me jump-start my own personal workout, says

Meagan. Since getting involved with the kids and their physical activities, Meagan has lost 35

pounds. She continues to grow in her pursuit for better health by exercising at home as well.

For Kari, being a teacher made getting active a little easier. By leading the Start For Life

preschool exercise program, she was motivated to make adjustments in her diet and

exercise habits. She saw results, losing a total of 50 pounds.

CHILDRENS HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA AND Y TEAM UP FOR ACTIVE KIDS

When you think about quality pediatric care, Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta comes tomind. And, when you think of quality physical and childcare programs, we hope the Y tops

your list. We are proud to announce these two prominent youth-serving organizations

combined their expertise to develop an enhanced version of the Ys highly acclaimed Youth

Fit For Life program. This new program aimed at the prevention of childhood obesity

includes physical activity, resistance exercises, healthy eating and parental engagement

components. The program will not be limited to the after-school setting, and with ChildrensHealthcare of Atlantas help, this effort will reach children far beyond the walls of the Y,

potentially impacting the healthy lifestyles of youth across the state of Georgia.

SUMMER 2012

While most preschool programs incorporate time in the school day for

movement, development and physical activity, your Y is the first to

include a fun, yet structured, program that incorporates moderate to

vigorous activity and measures its impact. In conjunction with funding

from Kaiser Permanente Foundation, your Y has developed Start

For Life. This program, developed as the first phase of a 13-year

longitudinal study, fosters the adoption of good exercise and healthy

eating habits from an early age, delivered cost effectively by theclassroom teachers. Given the promising data collected in its first

year, Start For Life will be progressively introduced across all Y

preschool classrooms.

Newsletter courtesy of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta Financial Development Department. Questions orcomments, please contact us at (404) 588-9622 Ext. 5358.