Somerset Hills YMCA Healthy Kids Day Encourages Healthy Lifestyle

A sunny day was a boost to the Somerset Hills YMCA's Healthy Kids Day this weekend, an annual community event that encourages kids and families to live healthfully and to stay active.

Numerous community organizations and local businesses offered actvities and exhibits at the free event held Saturday afternoon at the main YMCA facility at 140 Mount Airy Road. Children also had the chance to take part in sports and physical games that got them warmed up for an active summer to come.

“At the Somerset Hills YMCA, we know that often parents struggle to keep their kids physically and intellectually active every day. We want to ensure that fewer kids are at risk of childhood obesity and more kids excel in school,” said David Carcieri, President and CEO of the Somerset Hills YMCA.

“Our hope is that Healthy Kids Day will help parents motivate kids to stay active and to keep learning – important building blocks for a healthy future," Carcieri said.
 
Many U.S. children do not get the daily recommended hours of physical activity and reading, as well as daily amounts of healthy foods, according to information from the YMCA. 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, the YMCA said in a news release before the event.
 
Healthy Kids Day aimed to help parents encourage healthy habits among their kids, through fun, active and creative activities, such as samples of healthy food, face painting, live music and a DJ, pottery painting, Lego building, hip hop classes, a water balloon contest and a chance to explore a real fire truck.

Other scheduled sport activities included basketball, Tae Kwon Do, rock climbing wall, kickball, and a hula hoop contest. More than 20 community partner organizations and businesses will attend and exhibit were signed up for the event.
 
“With a keen understanding of the need to encourage health and wellness among children, the Y is a guiding force in the areas of nurturing our youth and inspiring healthy living,” said Abbey Arwady, event coordinator and the Y’s Director of Youth.