Healthier habits for kids urged

The Lake County Family YMCA is reminding parents about the importance of incorporating regular physical activity and healthier eating habits into their children’s lives during September, national childhood obesity awareness month.

Childhood obesity rates have soared over the last few decades. Nationally, one in three children is obese or overweight. More alarming, obesity puts children at risk for chronic diseases often seen in adults, such as high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes.

This health crisis sheds light on the need to provide children and their parents with the resources and support they need, emphasizing that small steps can lead to big results to reverse the trend.

“One key to fighting childhood obesity is prevention,” said Health and Wellness Director Clair Pauschert. “Regular physical activity — 60 minutes throughout the day for children — and nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains can lower children’s chances of becoming obese or overweight and developing chronic diseases. It’s important to note that the activity does not have to be done all at once.”

The Lake County Family YMCA offers many programs to get and keep children active. These include tae kwon do, soccer, aikido, zumba, boot camp, plus swim lessons all of which incorporate the values of the Y — caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

“We know that many families struggle to find the time and resources to eat healthier and set aside time for physical activity every day,” President and CEO Lynda Chott said. “So we tailor our programs to meet the needs of families in the community to help make the healthier choice an easier choice.”

For more information about the Y’s healthy living programs, call Pauschert at (847) 996-6322.

The Lake County Family YMCA is comprised of the Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills, Northern Lake YMCA in Waukegan and Early Head Start in Waukegan.