Queens Ys Join In Nation's Largest Health Day For Kids

The Queens YMCAs Of Greater New York will join more than 1,500 YMCAs nationwide in the 16th annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 14. An opportunity for kids and families to "Put Play in Their Day," this special event uses free, fun, engaging and creative activities to encourage children and families to adopt behaviors that support a healthy lifestyle. YMCA Healthy Kids Day is part of YMCA Activate America, a national initiative designed to help children and adults discover and sustain healthier ways to live.

Unhealthy eating and physical inactivity are associated with an increased risk of a number of chronic health conditions, including obesity. In fact, the percentage of young people who are overweight has tripled over the last 25 years. In 2005, a panel of experts from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that school-age children should participate in moderate to vigorous activity for a minimum of 60 minutes a day. Studies have shown that children who develop healthy exercise and eating habits while they are young are more likely to continue to lead healthy lifestyles through adulthood. 'The need is as strong today as ever before," Jamé Cohn, director of communications at the Cross Island YMCA, said. "Families are under increased stress, and struggle to balance work, family and health to find supportive communities. More physical activity through play helps children better manage stress, succeed in school, reduce frustration, build energy and, most of all, learn skills that encourage a lifetime of activity."

For more than 150 years, YMCAs have developed initiatives and programs that have helped improve the physical, social, emotional and spiritual health of millions of Americans in diverse communities across the country. Participation in YMCA health and wellness programs such as Healthy Kids Day provides kids and families a chance to build friendship and community, a sense of well being and confidence and improved physical, mental and cognitive abilities.

In addition to hosting YMCA Healthy Kids Day, all Queens YMCAs are supporting healthy living throughout the community. Specifically, each YMCA in Queens has enhanced its service and support to kids, adults, and families who want to live a healthy lifestyle but struggle to do so by bringing families together to work out with programs such as family swim, which teaches the whole family how to exercise and make physical fitness a regular part of their lifestyle.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day is supported by the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, American Public Health Association, American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. Each Queens YMCA will host local representatives from the community with an array of different family health workshops and health screenings. Activities taking place during YMCA Healthy Kids Day will include free trial classes, giveaways, fun for the entire family, health screenings, fitness demonstrations, safety education and more. Camp Open House and registration with a special 10 percent discount for early registration, will also take place at the event. Parents can get connected by participating in activities with their kids.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day is generously sponsored by companies dedicated to improving the health and wellness of American kids and families, including the Disney Channel, Kellogg's Corporate Citizenship Fund, the Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Tropicana.

For more information about YMCA Healthy Kids Day in Queens, visit www.ymcanyc.org or contact:

+ Catalpa YMCA, 69-02 64th St., Ridgewood, NY 11385, 718-821-6271

+ Cross Island YMCA, 238-10 Hillside Ave., Bellerose, NY 11426, 718- 479-0505

+ Flushing YMCA, 138-46 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354, 718-961- 6880

+ Jamaica YMCA, 89-25 Parson Blvd. Jamaica, NY 11432, 718-739-6600

+ Long Island City YMCA, 32-23 Queens Blvd. Long Island City, NY 11101, 718-392-7932

The YMCA of Greater New York is a community service organization which promotes positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people, with a focus on youth. The nation's 2,617 YMCAs serve more than 20.2 million people each year, including 9.5 million children, uniting men, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. From urban areas to small towns, YMCAs are a place for people to belong, serving America's communities for over 150 years by "building healthy spirit, mind and body for all". Visit www.ymcanyc.org to find your local YMCA.