1/31/08

Strong Teens program offered at Marysville YMCA

by Beckye Randall

Building on the success of its Strong Kids program, a nutrition and fitness educational effort for kids ages 8 to 11 and their families, the Marysville YMCA will begin a 12-week Strong Teens program on March 3.

The Snohomish County YMCA, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Providence Hospital and the Everett Clinic developed Strong Kids/Strong Teens in a collaborative effort. Participation in the program, which was piloted in Marysville, requires a physician referral and a commitment of involvement from the child’s parent or guardian.

The program is designed to teach participants fun ways to be active, eat right, and create healthy lifestyles for the whole family.

Sandra Hope and her 10-year-old grandson Collin joined the Strong Kids program last fall. “We wanted to get healthy together,” said Sandra, “and this seemed like a great way to get the reinforcement we needed. The fact that it was free was definitely a bonus.”

The program begins with an intervention phase. Children and a parent or guardian attend 90-minute classes twice a week to practice physical activity, discuss lifestyle information and get nutritional guidance from a registered dietician. A 6-week maintenance phase follows, with meetings once a week to help kids and their families stay on track.

Collin has enjoyed the Strong Kids meetings. “They’re fun, especially the exercise parts,” he said. Collin and Sandra also look forward to the interaction with other kids and parents.

“We’re all looking for healthy alternatives, and sometimes the other parents have great tips to pass on,” said Sandra. Simple changes like using smaller plates have helped make portion control, a staple of the program, easier to implement.

Collin has lost weight over the past 10 weeks and has increased his strength and endurance. Thanks to the nutritional guidance he’s received, the Pinewood Elementary 5th grader drinks more water and makes healthier food choices even when he’s on his own.

Strong Kids/Strong Teens classes are free, funded by community partnerships with Group Health, Kimberly-Clark and Kirtley Cole General Contractors, and include a membership to the YMCA for the duration of the program. 

“We’ve held three sessions of Strong Kids at the Marysville YMCA over the past two years,” explained Caroline Brown, health and fitness director, “and we’re excited to expand the program to teens this spring.”

Strong Teens is open to kids from ages 12 to 14 who are in the top 15 percent of weight for their age and height.

Meanwhile, the Strong Kids program for 8- to 11-year-olds will be offered at YMCA branches in north Everett, southeast Everett and Mukilteo starting February 4. Monroe’s program began January 28. Classes are limited to 20 participants in each, and pre-registration is required. For more information, visit www.ymca-snoco.org or contact your local branch.

 

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