The YMCA of Greater Westfield wants families to understand how adopting healthy habits together can help reduce childhood obesity. While the dangers of childhood obesity are well chronicled, many families need support changing their families’ habits with the goal of overweight and obese children obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight. That’s why the YMCA of Greater Westfield a leading community-based organization dedicated to improving health—wants families to understand the dangers of childhood obesity and ways to reverse course through improved eating habits and increased physical activity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of obesity has remained stable at about 17 percent and affects about 12.7 million children and adolescents. Today, obesity affects one in six children and one in three are overweight, which poses greater risks for many health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and some cancers.

For years parents have heard the dangers of childhood obesity but making the necessary lifestyle changes—as a family—remain the biggest barrier to real progress. Therefore, in collaboration with Baystate Health & support from Kohl’s Cares grant, the YMCA of Greater Westfield is offering the MIGHTY program. MIGHTY is Baystate Health’s pediatric weight management program that stands for Moving, Improving and Gaining Health Together at the YMCA. MIGHTY is an evidence-based multi-component pediatric weight-management program aimed at children with a body mass index above the 90th percentile. This Free program is a two-hour sessions, twice a month, over a six-month period during which children and their families engage with exercise specialists, nutritionist and social workers in classroom instruction and group exercise sessions. Next session is for children between the ages of 8-10 beginning in April on Tuesdays, 4-6PM. To be eligible for the MIGHTY Program, participants must be in the 90th percentile for height & weight, complete a Y’s medical clearance forms /Inquiry forms & History Intake forms. Register by February 25. Space is limited. To register, contact YMCA of Greater Westfield, Cindy Agan, Health & Wellness Director, 413.568.8631, [email protected].