Imagine a
program in which overweight and obese children feel safe, understood and that
they are seen and heard. In this program, these children freely express their
struggles with their weight, are internally motivated and are externally supported
in their wellness goals. Imagine a program, simple in design that helps to
improve the sedentary lifestyle of overweight and obese children in the NYC and
provide them with an activity that supports their physical, emotional,
social and environmental wellness. Our program provides children who are overweight and obese the
opportunity to be active and help children champion each other in a non competitive environment.
According to a 2008 report from the Office of the State Comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli, "New York has a childhood obesity crisis. The New York State Department of Health estimates that one in four New Yorkers under the age of 18, or approximately 1.1 million young people, is obese. This childhood obesity crisis, in turn, is fueling a health care cost crisis, with an estimated annual $242 million in medical costs attributed to these children, which is putting even greater strain on the New York budget."
The New York City Department of Mental
Health and Hygiene states that 1 in 5 kindergarten children are obese.
Although there are many
measures being taken to address childhood obesity, such as nutrition counseling,
weight loss management and physical activities, very few programs deal with the
psychological and psychosocial affects of childhood obesity.
Our program helps children overcome financial barriers to
physical activity by incorporating walking as part of their physical wellness
as well as provide social and emotional support in dealing with the
psychosocial factors of obesity. Children are social by nature and the
club capitalizes on the need for children to increase social networks and
engage in physical activity.
A study in a recent issue of the journal Neuroscience, reports
that there may be a link between physical activity and improved academic
achievement among young children. “During
the testing, which took place following either 20 minutes of rest or 20 minutes
of walking, the children were asked to identify incongruent stimuli while
outfitted with an electrode cap to measure electroencephalographic activity.
The researchers found that, after a period of physical activity, children
scored higher on tests measuring how well they paid attention, suggesting that
physical activity increases a child’s ability to focus, even in the presence of
distractions.”
If you are interested in learning more about our Smart with My Heart™ Walking Club or offering the after school program at your school or organization, please feel free to contact us at 1-888-220-9004.
