Greater Scranton YMCA Supports Healthy Families

September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and as children and families start their new school-year routines, it’s a perfect time to reflect on and refresh your family’s healthy habits. Many families, though, may not have easy access to opportunities to learn about and practice healthy behaviors. That’s why the Greater Scranton YMCA — a leading community-based organization dedicated to improving health — wants to help families through nutrition education and increased physical activity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of obesity affects about 14.7 million, or one in five U.S. children and adolescents. Obesity can increase risk for health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and some cancers. Here in Pennsylvania, 18 percent of children in grades K-12 are affected by obesity, according to the Department of Health.

“Experts now have a heightened understanding of the necessity to provide families with assistance in altering their eating and physical activity patterns,” said Rich Surridge, Interim CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “At the Y, we’re delighted to collaborate with families, extending support as they strive to incorporate changes to help children grow up at a healthy weight.”

The Y also promotes open communication between families and their health care providers regarding their children’s health. “A child’s healthy weight cannot be determined based off of appearance,” said Surridge. “Working with health care professionals guarantees that

families receive accurate guidance and support.”

The Greater Scranton YMCA is helping families improve their health and help youth adopt healthy behaviors through membership, youth sports and enrichment programs, swim lessons, family programming and more.

The following tips are some great ways to incorporate healthier eating habits and increased physical activity into your daily family routine:

• Eat & Drink Healthy: Make water the drink of choice and encourage everyone to fill half their plates with fruits and vegetables by offering two or three servings at every meal. As a family choose a new fruit and veggie every week to taste together. Place a full pitcher of water on the table during meals and allow children to pour their own water. Keep full water bottles available in cars and back packs.
• Play Every Day/Go Outside: Children should have at least an hour a day of unstructured play outside (when possible) and break a sweat at least three times a week by getting 20

minutes or more of vigorous physical activity. Join your children in games that get your hearts pumping and body moving.

• Get Together: Eat as a family as frequently as possible. Involve kids in meal planning, preparation and clean up. In addition, take a break from electronics and spend one-to-one time each day together, enjoying one another’s company.

• Reduce Recreational Screen Time: Time spent in front of a television, computer, tablet, cell phone or video games should be limited to two hours or less per day. Make a family plan to reduce screen time at home (i.e., turn off screens during meals, charge electronics/screens in the kitchen overnight, go for a walk after a meal, set a timer to remind you to power down the screen).
• Sleep Well: Kids and adults need to keep a regular sleep schedule; unwind together in the evenings by reading a book or listening to soft music to ensure your bodies are preparing for sleep. Kids are growing and need 10-12 hours of healthy sleep per night; adults should aim for seven to eight hours nightly.

To learn more about the Greater Scranton YMCA’s membership and programs, please contact Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, at (570) 828-3116 or bwhipple@gsymca.org, or visit the Y online at www.greaterscrantonymca.org.