YMCA of Rome and Floyd County’s Healthy Kids Day® on April 26 Aims to Help Kids Exercise Minds and Bodies

Rome GA – On Friday, April 26, the YMCA of Rome and Floyd County is celebrating YMCA's Healthy Kids Day^® with a free community event that encourages kids in our community to get moving and learning, and families living healthier. Healthy Kids Day, the Y's national initiative to improve families' health and well being, takes place at 1,900 Ys and kick-starts healthier behaviors now and throughout the summer, a critical out-of-school time for children's health.

 

Many U.S. children do not get the daily-recommended hours of physical activity and reading, and daily amounts of healthy foods. According to the latest findings of the YMCA's Family Health Snapshot – a survey of parents that gauges their children's activity levels during the school year – only 19 percent of children get 60 minutes of physical activity, only 17 percent read books for fun, and only 12 percent eat at least eight fruits and vegetables daily.

 

"At the YMCA of Rome and Floyd County we know parents struggle to keep their kids physically and intellectually active every day. We want to help ensure fewer kids are at risk of childhood obesity and more kids excel in school," said Scott McCreless, Executive Director. "YMCA's Healthy Kids Day will get kids moving and learning while also helping families get a jump on creating a healthier summer, and ultimately a healthier future."

 

Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically and gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. On April 26, YMCA's Healthy Kids Day will help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to grow and achieve all summer long.

 

The YMCA of Rome and Floyd County's Healthy Kids Day takes place at 810 East Second Avenue from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and features fun, active play and educational activities, such as Zumbatonic, Pool Safety, and Basketball Shoot Outs. A number of community organizations will also participate and offer activities and information including The Rome Fire Department, Children's Dental Center of Rome, Theatre Arts in the Park, CHAMPS, Pinnacle Developmental Services, Positive Families, and the Department of Family and Children's Services.