The West Side Y Hosts Fit for All 5K to Prevent Childhood Obesity

On Saturday, October 1, 2011, the sound of thousands of sneakers pounding the pavement will be heard along the Upper West Side as hundreds of runners gather together to take aim at the epidemic that threatens to shorten the lifespan of today’s kids – childhood obesity. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in the past ten years, obesity levels have doubled in the United States. Nearly half of all New York City elementary school children are not at a healthy weight. In fact, in New York City, 1 in 5 kindergarten children are obese. Recent reports indicate that this number continues to rise despite efforts to decrease sugary drinks in schools and provide calorie counts at fast food restaurants.


The West Side Y is mobilizing its member base of hundreds of athletes and health enthusiasts in the first ever Fit for All 5K to raise funds and awareness for the new Childhood Obesity Prevention Program. The program will provide nutrition education and exercise programs to children ages 6-12 years old that are at risk of becoming overweight or obese.


The program will engage families who need a helping hand when it comes to getting fit – either through financial assistance or programmatic support. The program commits to nurturing the potential of every youth and teen by providing the resources necessary to maintain or improve physical health and well-being.


The Fit for All 5K is one of the few races designed to raise awareness about the growing epidemic of childhood obesity in NYC - a nationwide epidemic that threatens to shorten the lifespan of this generation of kids to less than that of their parents. “The time is now to address this nationwide epidemic. Who better suited than the Y to tackle this issue and provide a program incorporating physical activity and nutritional education in a fun and safe environment?” said Eileen O’Connor, Executive Director, West Side YMCA.


For further details about Fit for All 5K, please visit www.FitForAll5K.org or call Wyndy Sloan at 212-912-2611.

For more information on the West Side Y programs and services, visit www.ymcanyc.org/westside or call 212-912-2600.