Healthy Weight and Your Child / HWYC

The Alliance of New York State YMCAs supports a host of Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Programs across the state. 

By offering programs that promote wellness and manage chronic diseases such as hypertension, arthritis, diabetes and cancer, the YMCA aims to improve the nation’s health and well-being, reduce risk for disease and help individuals reclaim their health.  

 

Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program

Diabetes Prevention Program

Enhance®Fitness

Healthy Weight and Your Child 

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA

Moving For Better Balance

Walk With Ease

 

To learn more about a Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Program at a YMCA near you, contact Martha Petteys, director of Healthy Living at mpetteys@ymcanys.org

Healthy Weight and Your Child is a 25-session evidence-based program for children with obesity. The family-based weight-management program emphasizes three elements: healthy eating, regular physical activity, and behavior change to elicit a positive life-long lifestyle transformation.

The Healthy Weight and Your Child curriculum is adapted from the most widely disseminated and extensively evaluated child weight management program in the world (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do-IT—MEND). Studies have shown the program model is effective in reducing a child’s body mass index and waist circumference, reducing sedentary behaviors, increasing physical activity, and improving self-esteem.

The program includes a Family Information Session followed by 25 sessions delivered over four months.

PROGRAM GOALS:

  • Reduction in the child’s body mass index (BMI)
  • Adoption of healthier eating habits by the family
  • Increase in daily physical activity
  • Improved self-esteem for participants