YMCA Activate Virginia Helps Virginians to Lead Healthier Lifestyles

The YMCA of Greater Richmond has launched an initiative to make it easier for people to get healthy. Through YMCA Activate Virginia, the Y will offer free year-round wellness activities to the general public.

(PRWEB) November 27, 2005 -- The YMCA of Greater Richmond has launched an initiative to make it easier for people to get healthy. Through YMCA Activate Virginia, the Y will offer free year-round wellness activities to the general public.

One of the most important health issues facing America today is the obesity epidemic. According to the Virginia Department of Health, about 59 percent of adults in the Commonwealth are overweight or obese.

“By offering community-wide wellness events for free, we hope to reach those individuals who generally don’t work out,” says Barry Taylor, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Richmond. “YMCA Activate Virginia will offer a variety of opportunities for people to increase awareness about personal health and show them how physical activity can be fun.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is among the major causes of preventable death in the United States. One recent study estimates the direct economic costs of obesity as approximately $120 billion a year.

Obesity is an important risk factor for each of the major chronic diseases —cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, asthma and depression. An obese individual is at far greater risk of developing each of these conditions, and at an earlier age, than a non-obese individual.

“We are focusing our initial efforts on children and parents who are not active,” says Taylor. “Children mirror their parents’ behavior. By focusing our efforts on adults and children, we hope to help two generations develop life-long healthy lifestyle habits.”
In addition to the YMCA Activate Virginia events that are free to the public, the YMCA continues to offer a variety of health and wellness programs to its members.

“We made a purposeful effort to reach out to people who are not YMCA members. For more than 150 years, the YMCA has endeavored to generate solutions to challenges facing communities, and we will continue to do all that we can to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities,” adds Taylor.

YMCA Activate Virginia events run throughout the year and include:

Friday, November 25, 2005
On the day after the Thanksgiving Day holiday, all 14 branches of the YMCA of Greater Richmond will open their doors to the public — FREE of charge — to encourage people get start thinking about their healthy lifestyle before the New Year.

Personal Wellness Profiles – January 2006
Beginning in early January, all 14 branches of the YMCA of Greater Richmond will conduct FREE Personal Wellness Profiles for the general public. The purpose of the profile is to help people improve the quality of their life by becoming aware of their current health status. This comprehensive assessment is valued at $50 in a doctor’s office and will be administered by YMCA Wellness staff on specified dates.

Saturday, April 29, 2006
On April 29, 2006 the YMCA of Greater Richmond will celebrate YMCA Healthy Kids Day at 13 of its 14 branches. The event is designed to highlight the wide range of wellness activities and youth sports available to kids at their YMCAs. With millions of overweight children in the U.S., increasing the levels of physical activity in the lives of children is a critical component of this country's effort to fight childhood obesity.

YMCA Waterpalooza – May 2006
Swimming is an excellent form of physical activity. In advance of summer swim season, the YMCA will host a day of water fun and safety, at branches with pool facilities. Through free swim class demonstrations, children, teens and adults will learn about cool ways to get exercise in the hot summer months.

YMCA Operation Cool Down – Summer 2006
Throughout the summer, when temperatures soar close to triple-digits, the YMCA of Greater Richmond will announce YMCA Operation Cool Down days. During specified hours, the public is invited to take a dip at the Y for FREE. The pool provides a haven for children to keep cool and safe from the extreme heat.

For more information on YMCA Activate Virginia, please contact Edilia Quinonez Bendel at 804-474-4315.

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