Psychologist and YMCA Help Kids Learn Physical Activity Changes ...

Posted on June 19th, 2012 by Dr. Elaine Ducharme

I am thrilled that a partnership between the American Psychological Association and the YMCA of the USA?has connected me to a local YMCA in Meriden, CT. They are an amazing group of people and recently developed the PACE program (Physical Activity Changes Everything), which helps?families fight childhood obesity and build healthy bodies, minds and spirits.

Carrie Marquardt, the health and wellness director, writes more about the program, and?how?it?helps children and parents develop healthy minds and healthy bodies:

Has your pediatrician said your child needs to be more active, eat healthier and lose weight? Do you ever struggle figuring out where to turn for help? Families and pediatricians in our town faced the same dilemma.

The Meriden YMCA was (and continues to be) alarmed by the rising rate of childhood obesity in our community. Local pediatricians had no where to refer families. So two years we teamed up with local experts from our hospital, a dietitian, the city health department, and psychologists who are members of the Connecticut Psychological Association?to craft a program to address this crisis. Combining their expertise with our knowledge of health and fitness, we started the PACE program for 7 to 14 year olds to help families fight childhood obesity and build healthy bodies minds and spirits.

This program combines?positive behavior change, nutrition education, fun fitness activities and family involvement to achieve measurable results. Dr. Barbara Ward Zimmerman, a licensed psychologist, is part of our team working with the children and their families. Dr. Ward Zimmerman discusses how to deal with bullying and teaches families how to change their behavior.

?This has been a life-changing experience for our family,? says Niki, the mother of Christian.??The fun activities, positive rewards, regular schedule, use of the interactive Exergame Fitness Arcade, and wonderful staff have helped so much! My son is not a team sport kind of kid. He has autism and we?ve been through a lot in our family and with his school. His self-esteem and self-confidence were very low. This program has helped Christian increase his confidence, focus better in school, lose some weight, and be more comfortable going to the pool. We?ve grown together as a family and have learned so much about healthy living. I cannot say enough about this program.?

Photos by dubber?(via Flickr)?and the Meriden YMCA

Filed under: Children, Lifestyle & Behaviors, Parenting

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