Obesity affects 17-percent of all children and adolescents in the United States–this is triple the rate from one generation ago. Today, one-in-six children are living with obesity and one in three are overweight
The Wilton Family Y is offering Healthy Weight and Your Child (HWYC), an evidenced based program that aims to empower children and families through education, healthy eating and physical activity learn skills and behaviors to live a healthier lifestyle.
The yearlong program is designed for children ages 7-13 years of age with a body mass index of the 95th percentile or higher. Children must have clearance from a health care provider or school nurse in order to participate.
Healthy Weight and Your Child delivers 25 sessions over the course of a year. The program includes 16 weekly sessions followed by post core sessions for the remainder of the year. All sessions are two hours in length with the first hour delivered in a classroom setting and the second hour focusing on physical activity. Limited to groups of 10 to 15 families (child and adult), the program creates a safe, fun and active environment for children and families to explore and adopt proven methods to living a healthier lifestyle.
Materials from the Y say that, “Healthy Weight and Your Child is based on the most widely disseminated and extensively evaluated child weight management program in the world. Research on the program we have licensed is built upon substantial evidence that has shown statistically significant reductions in body mass index, waist circumference,
sedentary activities and improvements in physical activity and self-esteem at six months, also sustained at 12 months.”
The Y is holding an information session on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 12 p.m..
The Riverbrook YMCA is one of 19 YMCAs across the country to pilot the program. To find out more about the program, contact Mary Ann Genuario at 203.762.8384, ext. 282 or via email.