Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects both children and adolescents. When a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height, he or she is at higher risk for serious health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Although rare in the past, obesity is now among the most widespread medical problems affecting children and adolescents in the United States. The Mayo Clinic tells us that the best strategies to combat excess weight are diet modification and exercise, for the entire family. This is the goal of The Children’s Aid Society in New York and its nutrition programs, as well as its vital philosophy of nourishing the child to benefit a lifetime.
Go!Healthy is directed by The Children’s Aid Society and is aimed at combating obesity in children, teens and adults by teaching them about the joys of fresh, delicious and healthful foods. Go!Healthy is “food education” that makes healthful foods fun and accessible for children and families in New York’s low-income neighborhoods. Hands-on cooking, health education, yoga (pictured) and learning to be “conscious consumers” helps Go!Healthy turn the tide of unhealthy eating.
New York’s Children Aid Society also launched Go!Kids in 2003, an early childhood obesity prevention program for three- to five-year-olds. Currently at six sites in Manhattan and the Bronx, Go!Kids will be implemented at four additional Children’s Aid locations in New York in 2009, as well as at eight external Head Start programs. Go!Kids was recently featured on Rachael Ray’s non-profit organization website, Yum-o.org. These important educational programs continue the fight for the health, and future health, of thousands of needy children.
Tags: child obesity, Children's Aid New York City, Go!Healthy, Go!Kids, Head Start, mayo clinic, Rachael Ray, Yum-o.org
By David
This past Thursday morning, the East Harlem Head Start children, staff, and parents went to City Hall to participate in a press conference supporting funding-renewal for our yoga program (which is provided free through our partnership with University Settlement).
The trip fit in perfectly with the Civic Participation theme and related events that we’ve been working on with our families.
Much to our surprise, Mayor Bloomberg actually walked out of the building just as our press conference was wrapping up.
The highlight of the day came when, of his own accord, 3-year-old John spontaneously broke from his mother to passionately hug the leg of our famous Mayor. Everyone (including Mayor Mike) had a good chuckle. It was the perfect example of true civic participation!
Enjoy the pictures.
Moira Cappio, Director of the Head Start Program, East Harlem Center
Tags: Children's Aid New York City, City Hall, East Harlem, Head Start, Mayor Bloomberg, University Settlement, yoga
By Moria
With revolutionary ideas about the importance of the early education and welfare of children, Charles Loring Brace pioneered efforts on behalf of impoverished children. The legacy of the novel ideas that the Children’s Aid Society in New York introduced continues today in programs all across our country. For over 150 years, these ground-breaking programs have astonished and amazed with their innovation, helping children at risk grow up healthy and productive.
With unique vision, New York’s Children’s Aid Society introduced many progressive programs in their schools that today are commonplace. Look at the National School Lunch Program, the federal program that provides free or reduced-price lunches to students based on the student’s household income. The Children’s Aid Society in New York started their free school lunch program over 150 years ago to destitute children, recognizing that a child can’t learn well when he or she is hungry.
And there is the Head Start program, founded in 1965, which benefits children by enrolling them into instructional settings at the age of 3 in order to promote school readiness. Children’s Aid opened the first Head Start classroom in New York. Early childhood education has been a cornerstone of New York’s Children’s Aid Society since its inception in 1853. The passion to champion children at risk in the 21st century continues, with program-innovation and imagination.
Tags: Charles Loring Brace, Children's Aid New York City, Head Start, programs, progressive, School Lunch Program, working mothers
By David
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