YMCA of Greater Dayton Enhances Standards for Early Learning Centers and School Age Enrichment Programs
For Immediate Release
YMCA of Greater Dayton Enhances Standards for Early Learning Centers and School Age Enrichment Programs
Improved healthy eating and physical activity guidelines implemented to make Miami Valley kids healthier
Dayton, OH, 08/20/12 – The YMCA of Greater Dayton implemented a series of healthy eating and physical activity standards in all 48 locations of its YMCA Early Learning Centers and School Age Enrichment Programs as part of the Y’s nationwide commitment to combat childhood obesity and ensure that all those who participate in YMCA programs live a healthier, balanced life.
The standards:
• Establish a minimum of expected physical activity for children of different ages enrolled in Y programs;
• Define food and beverages offerings, including designating water as the primary beverage during snack times and offering fruits and vegetables as snack options;
• Limit the amount of screen time (watching TV, playing video games, using computers); and
• Commit Ys to conducting parent education to encourage healthy behaviors at home.
“Improving and standardizing physical activity and healthy eating standards in our early childhood and afterschool programs help improve our kids’ health and well-being,” said Tim Helm, President/CEO, YMCA of Greater Dayton. “In addition to improving the standards for our kids, we also work to educate parents on how to better expose kids to healthy messages and behaviors while at home.”
The standards are part of the Y’s nationwide commitment to the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) that focuses on ending the childhood obesity epidemic. PHA works with the private sector and its honorary chairwoman, first lady Michelle Obama, to solve the nation’s childhood obesity crisis. Over the next three to four years, the standards will benefit at least 85 percent of the more than 700,000 children who participate in the Y’s early childhood and afterschool childcare programs yearly in program sites across the nation.
In the last few decades, childhood obesity rates have soared. Nationally, one in three children is obese or overweight, which puts children at risk for chronic diseases often seen in adults, such as high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. This health crisis sheds light on the need to provide children and their parents or guardians with the resources and the support they need to live healthier. With a presence in nearly 10,000 communities nationwide, the Y is uniquely positioned to address this issue.
Part of the Y’s commitment to strengthening community through youth development, when fully implemented the standards will benefit all the Miami Valley kids who participate in the YMCA of Greater Dayton’s Early Learning Centers and School Age Enrichment Programs each year.
For more information about the Y’s commitment to healthy early learning and school age enrichment programs visit www.ymcaonline.org.
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About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The YMCA of Greater Dayton was established in 1870 and now offers twelve locations throughout the Miami Valley. www.ymcaonline.org