Healthy Family
Each year, millions of Americans tackle the annual ritual of making
New Year’s resolutions. Some will succeed, some will stumble.
What is the secret to New Year’s resolution success? Not going
it alone!
Making a commitment to a healthier lifestyle is more important now
than ever. Making this commitment together as a family or with supportive
group greatly improves success.
This year, we are calling on all families to make a commitment to
their family as they build their New Year’s resolutions.
Did You Know?
Studies confirm again and again the vital role that interaction and
connectedness play in the long-term health and well-being of individual
family members. As families struggle to balance work, family and health,
the need to connect is as strong today as ever before.
Supporting data may be alarming, but turning the tides is possible:
- Our nation is facing a dramatic lifestyle health crisis. Sixty
million adults—about 30 percent of the U.S. adult population—and
9 million children are obese or overweight; 16 percent of our children
have Type II diabetes. According to the New England Journal of Medicine,
the current generation of American children could be the first to
lead shorter lives than their parents.
- Small changes can make a major impact. The CDC found that participating
in moderate physical activity, such as walking for 30 minutes at
least five times a week, substantially lowered the risk of coronary
heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure
and obesity.
- Introducing healthy habits early can have a lifetime benefit.
Children who develop healthy exercise and eating habits while they
are young are more likely to continue to lead healthy lifestyles
through adulthood.
Strong Family = Healthy Family
While current health statistics clearly illustrate ‘why’
it is so important for kids and adults alike to lead healthier lifestyles,
at the YMCA, we believe strong families play a critical role in ‘how’
to make it happen.
Look at the facts:
- Participating in family rituals that foster togetherness and communication
is strongly linked to adolescent mental health.
- Teens who eat with their families most days have better grades
and less depression and substance abuse than kids who frequently
eat on their own.
- University studies show that young kids and teens whom eat regularly
with their families eat more fruits, vegetables, fiber and whole
grains and consume less soda and snack food.
- A 2004 YMCA of the USA study found that parents who received support
from community organizations such as YMCAs reported positive experiences
for their children, saying the programs enabled their children to
engage with other kids, provided positive influence and offered
role models.
Start making your New Year’s resolutions
together as a family now!
Setting goals that balance, nurture and strengthen spirit,
mind and body are key to building strong and healthy families.
As you begin making New Year’s resolutions with your family,
be sure to check out the following links for specific New Year’s
resolutions ideas for you and your family and other tips for success:
 Building
Family New Year’s Resolutions: Fun Brainstorm Worksheet (PDF)
|
