Activate Youth Program Information
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Program Background
What is Activate Youth
Program Design/Requirements
Enrollment Procedure
Evaluation Session
Program Enrollment
Program Goals
Sign up/Contact Information
Additional Information

Program Background

Childhood obesity is a serious health issue that is contributing to an increased prevalence of diabetes, asthma and hypertension in children. Since the 1970's, the percentage of children ages 6 to 11 classified as obese has tripled. If left untreated, these children have a 79% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults with health complications associated with obesity.

The Licking County Family YMCA with American Health Network, LMH Nutrition services and The Ohio State University Extension developed Activate Youth Program both as a response to this health crisis, and to assist families to respond to this growing epidemic. Profoundly overweight (obese) children are at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, gall bladder disease, liver disease, future cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancers.

Activate Youth helps parents to improve the overall health of everyone in the family. This is a problem that encompasses the entire family and their lifestyle. We have become an over-rushed, over-committed society. With so many families with two working parents or single parent households convenience has become the most important factor. To help these children we must involve the entire family to make a lifestyle change.

What is Activate Youth

Activate Youth is a 8-week program for youth and adolescents ages 8 to 14 years old identified as or at risk of becoming overweight or obese. The program is for children who are classified at or above the 85th percentile of their recommended Body Mass Index (BMI) for their age group, and who exhibit unhealthy physical activity and nutritional choices. Led by professionals in exercise science and nutrition, the program provides children and parents with nutrition and physical activity behavioral modifications to increase physical activity and improve nutritional choices.

Activate Youth Program Design

Children ages 8 - 14 can be referred to Activate Youth Program by pediatricians, family physicians, school nurses, and/or parents/guardians.

       Program admission requirements:

• A parent or adult that lives with the child must agree to participate in the program and support the recommendations as a family.

• A physician's consent.

Enrollment Procedure

1. Informational packet includes:

   • Letter to parent about the program

   • Physician Consent Form

   • Medical History

   • Parent Nutrition Questionnaire

   • Questionnaire: family history, child's diet and exercise habits

   • Registration Form

   • 3-day diet analysis log forms

   • Financial assistance information, if applicable

2. All forms are returned and reviewed for completeness by the program administrator.

3. Appointments are scheduled for the pediatrician health evaluation and the parent/child nutrition consultation.

4. Next a fitness evaluation will be performed by the YMCA - Kajsa Hammack 345-9622 ext 105.

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Evaluation Session

Evaluation session is completed by YMCA staff.

Measurements:

• Height

• Weight

• Determine target heart rate

• Percentage of body fat using bio-impedance - Circumferences - arm/waist/hip/thigh

Fitness Test:

• Aerobic conditioning (1-mile walk/run test)

• Flexibility (sit and reach test)

• Muscular endurance (1- minute sit-up/crunch test)

Individual exercise goals for the program are established. Dietician schedules a half-hour consultation with the participant and family member to review the diet analysis results and to establish nutrition goals for program.

Program Enrollment

• Participant enters program when all of above criteria is complete.

• Participants meet for 8 weeks - 3 times per week for 1 hour.

• Parents must attend the parent-only and parent-child nutrition sessions.

• Participant will attend a 30 to 40 minute weekly lecture on fitness and nutrition.

Program Goals

Medical goals at the completion of the maintenance phase include weight loss and decreased BMI, decreased blood pressure, normal sugar and insulin levels, decreased cholesterol.

Nutrition goals include understanding how to read a food label. Understanding and application of the food pyramid. Decrease intake of saturated fats and simple sugars. Avoid highly processed foods, especially high fructose corn syrup. Increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Fitness goals included improved strength and cardiovascular endurance. Increased muscle mass and decreased body fat composition. Decreased screen time, including T.V., video games, movies, and computer. Increase daily activity and commitment to regular exercise.

Sign up and Contact Information

To sign up for the Activate Youth Program or to find out more information please call us at (740) 345-9622 ext. 105 and ask for Kajsa, or email her at kajsa.hammack@lcfymca.org.

For additional information please review these websites

www.mypyramid.gov
www.lmhealth.org
www.ahni.com
www.nutrition.gov
www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth
www.americanheart.org/heartpower*
www.fitness.gov/10tips.htm
www.shapeup.org
www.bam.gov
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/index.htm
www.calorie-count.com
www.exhibits.pacsci.org/nutrition/nutrition_cafe.html
www.freedieting.com
www.dietfacts.com