By Meaghan Avery, — Senior Program Director, Healthy Living Old Colony YMCA
Youth carrying excess weight is a growing concern, and rising numbers of children face health risks from unhealthy weight. Navigating this requires more than just addressing weight; it requires transforming a family's relationship with food, activity, and health. That's where the YMCA's Healthy Weight and Your Child (HWYC) program comes in, offering a holistic and supportive approach to help children achieve a healthy lifestyle with the support of their family.
HWYC is an evidence-based initiative designed for children aged 7-13 who are in the 97th percentile for BMI. The program is not just about helping children lose weight. Its goal is to empower families with the tools they need to create long-lasting, healthy habits. Throughout 25 sessions, participants engage in learning, goal-setting, and physical activity, all within a supportive group environment to achieve sustainable healthy lifestyle changes.
When it comes to youth carrying excess weight, a whole-family approach has been proven to be more effective. By involving caregivers in the process, the YMCA's program ensures that healthy habits are modeled at home and reinforced in day-to-day life. Parents or caregivers play a crucial role in guiding their children's habits—whether it's setting meal schedules, making grocery choices, or encouraging physical activity. The program also teaches parents how to lead by example, ensuring children see positive behaviors at home. Caregivers participate alongside their children in each session, learning how to implement healthy changes together. This joint involvement fosters a sense of teamwork and accountability that helps families stick to their goals even when the program ends.
The YMCA's Healthy Weight and Your Child program is more than a weight-loss initiative; it's a pathway to better health for children and their families. By focusing on education, behavior change, and support, it empowers families to make healthy choices that last a lifetime.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this program, contact Meaghan Avery at mavery@oldcolonyymca.org to learn more about how to get involved.
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