According to the Centers for Disease Control, obesity among children has nearly doubled in the last decade. Alarmingly, more than 9 million children in the United States are either obese or overweight, and studies show today's children are not getting the necessary exercise and activity for effective weight management and good health. As a result, more and more United Ways are supporting and promoting programs that help youth make positive nutritional and behavioral choices.
United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley"Body by Brandy 4 Kidz" Program
This partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Children's Hospital Boston, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and local fitness expert Brandy Cruthird of "Body By Brandy" offers an innovative way to tackle childhood obesity - a first-of-its kind nonprofit gym specifically for kids. The gym is designed to make fitness fun and features a rock climbing wall, a boxing program, game bikes, dance revolution pads, cardiovascular equipment, a sports wall, and a health and science computer lab.
United Way of Greater Chattanooga
"Fun Fitness Break" Program
United Way partnered withKid Fitness, Inc. which produces "The Kid Fitness Show," public television's award-winning health and fitness show for children, as part of a comprehensive program of ways to reach and influence children and their parents. The partnership was formed to create a community plan to address children's health and to provide a teachers' kit, which contains a 7-minute exercise program on DVD, a book with information about the program, teachers' resource cards, a classroom participation chart, and tips for parents.For more info, go to http://fraziergriffiths.com/kfinschools.htm
United Way of Central Ohio
"Help Stop Obesity" Campaign
The United Way in Columbus, Ohio, partnered with the American Heart Association to launch a campaign designed to fight the growing battle of childhood obesity in central Ohio. The campaign provided resources for adults to involve the entire family in getting active and improving the nutritional value of each meal.
The ads consisted of radio advertisements, bus and bus shelter displays, convenience store posters and door hanger bags. The advertisements listed a contact number and Web site where people can learn more about the problem of childhood obesity and get detailed information on how to help kids eat healthy, get active and reduce screen time. The door hanger bags contained pieces of chalk and cards listing active games that get children outdoors to build muscle and burn calories. The bags were distributed to almost 36,000 households by the Columbus Dispatch, and an additional 2,600 bags went to children who attended after-school programs administered by United Way member agencies the Central Ohio YWCA and YMCA.
This United Way also created a Health Vision Council to combat obesity and a Healthy & Fit Web site to help people locate programs in their area that focus on increasing physical activity and improving nutritious eating.
United Way of Elgin
"Pioneering Healthier Communities" Project
This United Way partnered with the Greater Elgin Area YMCA to help combat obesity in Elgin and make it easier for residents to engage in more physical activity and eat healthier. The YMCA's Pioneering Healthier Communities project was developed to support kids, adults, and families who want to live a healthy lifestyle but struggle to do so. The program is rooted in the principle that a multi-faceted, community-based approach that includes policy strategies is needed to create sustainable and lasting change in the community. YMCAs serve as connectors, bringing together high-level representatives from the government with local nonprofits like the United Way.
United Way of Tarrant County
"Fit Future" Campaign
This United Way in Fort Worth, Texas, worked with students, families and staff of Mitchell Boulevard Elementary School to decrease the number of overweight and obese third graders in a three-year project that combined exercise with nutrition education. FitFuture is a trademarked, collaborative community effort to help local families and individuals live healthier lives. It is led by United Way of Tarrant County, Fort Worth Public Health, Tarrant County Public Health, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth. For more information, visit www.fitfuture.org.
This United Way is also a major sponsor of FitFuture Kids Fest - a free, communitywide festival that showcases simple ways that families can fit nutritious eating and physical activity into their daily lives.
United Way of Greater St. Louis
"Healthy Youth Partnership"
United Way of Greater St. Louis is the managing partner of the Healthy Youth Partnership (HYP), the community's "one-stop shop" for healthy activities, tips, resources, current research, and policy changes for all those committed to improving the health and wellness of youth and families in the bi-state region. HYP partners are combining their efforts to combat youth obesity in the St. Louis Metropolitan area through unique programming and activities, sharing successful strategies and practices, and building resources to connect and strengthen existing efforts. For more information, visit http://www.healthyyouthpartnership.org/site/.
United Way of Miami-Dade
United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education
This program provides a place where children can access quality early education so they can reach their full potential in school and in life. The program includes an extensive health and nutrition program to combat issues such as childhood obesity and diabetes.
The center has a resource library, training center, and business learning center. The training center was designed to give parents, educators, and early childhood operators an opportunity to study best practices in early education, while the business learning center was designed to provide a place for those in the business community who wish to receive information and resources on the importance and value of quality early care and education.
United Way of Passaic County
"Nutrition Matters: Weekend Food for Kids" Program
The United Way partnered with Children's Day Nursery & Family Center in Passaic, New Jersey, to design a program to prevent childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles with preschool children and their parents. Nutrition Matters provides healthy cooking classes that combine nutrition education with hands-on meal planning and cooking techniques. On Fridays, the participants receive a package of nutritious food, including fresh vegetables and fruit, so their children can try new healthy foods and recipes and get accustomed to eating them regularly.
The program was launched in 2005 and now consists of workshops held in the spring and fall. The workshops consist of cooking classes, fitness education and exercise sessions for the adults, and learning activities and games about nutrition and fitness for their children.