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Post a commentFirst AHA children’s healthy-living workshop to be held in region
The American Heart Association is encouraging children to adopt healthy lifestyles at a youth obesity forum at Montgomery County Community College this month.
The free forum on obesity will focus on ways to be active and eat healthily as a young teen or child and why being healthy and active is important.
The free workshop, put on by the American Heart Association and partner Alliance for a Healthier Generation, will be the first of its kind in the Southeastern Pennsylvania area.
The event will be held Nov. 14 in Montgomery County Community College’s physical education center from 2 to 4 p.m.
Communications director for the American Heart Association Christina Crews said obesity is a top health concern among parents of young children and the association hopes to discuss the issues involved with both parents and children at the event.
“The American Heart Association is passionate about children and their health. At the forum, the youth will learn how they can change their lives in a positive way,” Crews said.
According to Crews, obesity has the potential to cause self-esteem issues and physical health problems in children that may not be noticed until adulthood such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
“Childhood obesity has become an epidemic today. About one in three American kids and teens are overweight, a rate that has nearly tripled since 1963,” Crews said.
The forum for kids ages 8 to 17 will provide a chance for those who attend to understand obesity through peer-led panel discussions moderated by the association, question-and-answer sessions, athletic activities and a healthy snack break.
Parents are invited to attend panel discussions on what kids can do and eat to be more active, healthy individuals.
“We encourage parents to be active as a family with their children,” Crews said. Students may participate in activities inside the gym, such as volleyball, relay races and physical activity challenges aimed at getting kids moving and their heart rates up. “We are hoping that children and parents understand the importance of incorporating physical activity in their already busy lives. Between school, extra curricular activities, babysitting and studying, a child’s life can be very busy,” Crews said.
Crews encourages children to find time to take a walk or play with children outside in their neighborhood.
In addition to the forum, the American Heart Association partners with local school districts to hold programs aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles.
Recently, the organization formed a partnership with the NFL, titled “NFL Play 60 Challenge” recommending that children and adolescents get at least 60 minutes of exercise or play a day. The association also regularly holds Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart activities in local schools, encouraging physical activity among students and fundraising for the organization.
“We want to make sure kids know how important it is to be healthy in their youth, which will translate into being a healthy adult,” Crews said.
The deadline to register is Nov. 11. To register call 215-575-5254 or e-mail colleen.adams@heart.org.
The free forum on obesity will focus on ways to be active and eat healthily as a young teen or child and why being healthy and active is important.
The free workshop, put on by the American Heart Association and partner Alliance for a Healthier Generation, will be the first of its kind in the Southeastern Pennsylvania area.
The event will be held Nov. 14 in Montgomery County Community College’s physical education center from 2 to 4 p.m.
Communications director for the American Heart Association Christina Crews said obesity is a top health concern among parents of young children and the association hopes to discuss the issues involved with both parents and children at the event.
“The American Heart Association is passionate about children and their health. At the forum, the youth will learn how they can change their lives in a positive way,” Crews said.
According to Crews, obesity has the potential to cause self-esteem issues and physical health problems in children that may not be noticed until adulthood such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
“Childhood obesity has become an epidemic today. About one in three American kids and teens are overweight, a rate that has nearly tripled since 1963,” Crews said.
The forum for kids ages 8 to 17 will provide a chance for those who attend to understand obesity through peer-led panel discussions moderated by the association, question-and-answer sessions, athletic activities and a healthy snack break.
Parents are invited to attend panel discussions on what kids can do and eat to be more active, healthy individuals.
“We encourage parents to be active as a family with their children,” Crews said. Students may participate in activities inside the gym, such as volleyball, relay races and physical activity challenges aimed at getting kids moving and their heart rates up. “We are hoping that children and parents understand the importance of incorporating physical activity in their already busy lives. Between school, extra curricular activities, babysitting and studying, a child’s life can be very busy,” Crews said.
Crews encourages children to find time to take a walk or play with children outside in their neighborhood.
In addition to the forum, the American Heart Association partners with local school districts to hold programs aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles.
Recently, the organization formed a partnership with the NFL, titled “NFL Play 60 Challenge” recommending that children and adolescents get at least 60 minutes of exercise or play a day. The association also regularly holds Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart activities in local schools, encouraging physical activity among students and fundraising for the organization.
“We want to make sure kids know how important it is to be healthy in their youth, which will translate into being a healthy adult,” Crews said.
The deadline to register is Nov. 11. To register call 215-575-5254 or e-mail colleen.adams@heart.org.
