ACTIVATE AMERICA

The Bradford Family YMCA is PROUD to be named an Activate America YMCA.

WHY?

Over the past 20 years, unhealthy behaviors, including physical inactivity and unhealthy eating, have led to an epidemic of obesity and related chronic disease in the United States.

Today, obesity is associated with a series of chronic healthy conditions - including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, colon cancer, gallbadder disease, arthritis, sleep disturbances and breathing problems - putting the United States in the middle of a serious health crisis and reducing the quality of life for millions of Americans.

In addition to the chronic diseases and health conditions associated with obesity, being obese is also associated with a lower health-related quality of life.

If we fail to curb this obesity epidemic, the youth today will likely have a lower life expectancy than their parents, reversing a trend that has been increasing for nearly two centuries.

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Click here YMCA Activate America for more information.

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HELPFUL INFORMATION:

• Adult "Activity Converted to Steps" Chart
• Kid "Activity Converted to Steps" Chart
• 100 Ways to Eat Healthier
• 100 Ways to Surround Your Family with Success
• 100 Ways to Add 2,000 Steps to your Day
• Walkability Assessment
• Log onto ymca.net to track your steps through the YMCA trail

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AMERICA ON THE MOVE

America On the Move Foundation (AOMF) is a national non-profit initiative with the aim of improving quality of life - for individuals, families, communities and society. AOMF's flagship program, America On the Move (AOM), engages people of all ages in programs that emphasize energy balance - a balance between the amount of calories eaten and the amount of calories burned through physical activity.

AOM research shows that achieving energy balance is an effective approach to healthy weight management. Adding just 2,000 extra steps and eating 100 fewer calories each day are enough to help most Americans prevent the current average annual weight gain of 1-2 pounds. Small, consistent changes to daily physical activity and eating patterns can add up over time to big rewards - experienced in a better level of health and quality of life.

AOM believes success in curbing the overweight/obesity epidemic requires a commitment of shared responsibility. So AOM programs also inspire participants to be advocates - taking action in their communities to promote environments that foster and sustain a healthy weight.

AOM week at the YMCA began in September of 2006 and will become an annual event each September for the Bradford Family YMCA.

AOM week at the Bradford Family YMCA is September 20-27, 2009.

For more information on AOM, visit the website AOM.