YMCA and Community-Based Efforts are Key to Kentuckians Health

By YMCA Posted: July 8th, 2009



Media Contacts:  David Elsen, High Street YMCA Executive Director  (859) 367-7340 or delsen@ymcaofcentralky.org or Gail Glasser, President and CEO (859) 367-7330 gglasser@ymcaofcentralky.org

 

Unfortunately Kentucky was 7th (for adults 29%) and 4th (a shocking 37.1% for youth) in a ranking of state obesity rates released this week.  The rankings are part of a report by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) – F as in Fat:  How Obesity Policies are Failing in America, 2009 – that found obesity rates in this country continue to grow even with increased attention to the issue.  This is an unfortunate problem for Americans’ health, but despite this bad news for the nation, there is some good news here in the Bluegrass region.

 

Obesity rates have been climbing for years leading to an increase in chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Reversing the trend overnight just isn’t realistic, but as the health reform debate takes shape in Washington, our lawmakers must ensure that these issues are addressed.

 

One of TFAH’s key recommendations for addressing obesity within health reform is to increase the number of programs available in communities, schools, and childcare settings that help make nutritious foods more affordable and accessible and provide safe and healthy places for people to engage in physical activity.

 

In Fayette, Jessamine and Scott County, a team of leaders, convened by the YMCA of Central Kentucky, are working together to surround residents of these communities in an environment that promotes physical activity and healthy eating in hopes of reducing the risks associated with obesity and chronic disease.

 

In concert with community leaders such as Councilmember Jay McChord and the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, the YMCA is playing a role in important community initiatives such as Second Sunday aimed to get communities across the state active.  The YMCA is working with leaders of the Legacy Trail development and Bike Lexington to create environments for safe physical activity.  The YMCA is pleased to work in support of Mayor Jim Newberry’s commitment to make Lexington the most bike and pedestrian friendly city in the state.  Strategic work with the University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine and Stanford Prevention Research Center ensures that the YMCA is focused on gradual lifestyle change and sustainable behavior patterns – eventually leading to improved health and well-being for our citizens.  Early work in this area has shown success via the YMCA’s Jumpin’ Jaguar obesity prevention program for youth and the Y’s Get Fit small group initiatives.  Pilot programs with schools such as Glendover Elementary engage children in physical activity – such as the national program “Safe Routes to School.”

 

The Ys efforts are all part of Activate America® – the YMCA’s response to the nation’s chronic disease crisis.  Through Activate America, YMCAs are changing the way they work inside their facilities to make them more supportive of health seekers, people who need help adopting and maintaining a healthier lifestyle.  And, YMCAs are moving outside of their walls to act as a catalyst to improve community health and well-being.

 

Our work is part of this overall effort, and we are one of only 101 communities in the entire nation taking part in these initiatives that aim to reduce barriers and increase support for healthy living in local communities, but momentum and support for initiatives like ours is growing.

 

Confronting our nation’s health crisis requires that we support individuals and communities in making better choices and that we work together to address the underlying conditions and other factors that contribute to declining health and well-being, particularly for those living in communities with limited access to the tools and resources needed to attain and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

 

The F as in Fat report highlights a fact that we are all too aware of – more needs to be done to help children, adults and families in their efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle and reverse the growing obesity epidemic.  It’s important that as lawmakers consider how to improve our health care system, they also consider ways to work with YMCAs and other community leaders to help move people to better health. 
 


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