Kids & Family

West Essex YMCA Teachers Kids How To Be Healthy For A Lifetime

Healthy U is a collaborative partnership between the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance and the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey with the goal of combating childhood obesity.

The West Essex YMCA recently celebrated its 5th annual Healthy U at the Peanut Shell Childcare Center in Livingston and at 15 public schools. 

“Having a Healthy U school-year kick-off event demonstrates our recommitment to Healthy U while creating an exciting program for the kids who can see how much fun healthy living can be” said Peanut Shell Childcare Center Director Lucy Cookman. 

Healthy U is a collaborative partnership between the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance and the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey with the goal of combating childhood obesity through nutrition education, physical education and family involvement. 

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Healthy U teaches children ages 3 -13 how to be healthy for a lifetime. It uses the Coordinated Approach to Child Health curriculum to promote physical activity and good nutrition while showing kids that eating healthy and being physically active every day can be fun. 

“One in 3 children overweight or obese — these children risk developing serious health problems in adulthood. Through the Healthy U program, we can make a positive impact on youth and their families”, said Cookman.

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Healthy U has been a part of the Y after school program since 2008, and Y preschool-age programs since 2012. This year, the West Essex YMCA is implementing Healthy U programming  in 15 New Jersey public schools in addition to their Peanut Shell Childcare Center.  

The school-based program incorporates the Healthy U curriculum in physical education, the classroom setting, the cafeteria, and throughout the school community.  

The philosophy is to promote, educate and create a culture for healthy living and help students make positive choices for physical activity and nutrition. The program also provides support to families for making good choices and lifestyle changes.

“Healthy U is integrated into our afterschool programs daily," said Cheryl Francione, associate executive director at the West Essex YMCA. "Through this Horizon Foundation grant, we can provide additional, and complementary, health education while promoting a culture of wellness that can improve academic performance and increase student health.  

"In addition, our children learn that exercising and eating healthy is fun."

Healthy U is made possible through a grant from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, a division of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. Since 2008, the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey has invested $3.45 million in the Healthy U initiative.  

For more information on this program contact your local Y or Sue Cornell, Healthy U Director, NJ YMCA State Alliance at sue.cornell@ymca.net or visit www.njymca.org


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