Making Healthier Choices Together

Fit Together announces start date of Fit Together Families Program

TORRINGTON, Conn. — January 30, 2020 — Fit Together is set to kick off a program that will help build a healthier and stronger community by tackling one of the nation’s largest health concerns — childhood excess weight.

The community based Fit Together - Northwest Connecticut’s Healthy Eating and Active Living initiative has teamed up with the Northwest CT YMCA to offer the second session of Fit Together Families- a YMCA Healthy Weight and Your Child program. This evidence-based lifestyle change intervention addresses childhood obesity for children ages 7–13 with a body mass index in the 95th percentile or higher and their families. The weight-management program focuses on nutrition education and physical activity to encourage healthier eating habits and an active lifestyle to achieve a healthy weight.

Realizing the need for such a program in its community, Fit Together and the Y are starting the 15-week program aimed at providing children with excess weight and their families a supportive lifestyle program. The program is set to begin on February 20, 2020 and will meet at the Torrington YMCA.

“The program is designed with the whole family in mind, engaging a child and adult in education, healthy eating and physical activity to elicit positive change and help families learn skills to live a healthier lifestyle long-term,” said Fit Together Executive Director Carla Angevine. “Evidence shows that child weight-management programs are more effective when the whole family is involved and committed to adopting healthier habits.”

“We are so excited to be a part of this program that helps children with excess weight and their parents find their own way- what can work for their family- to live healthier,” said Greg Brisco, Northwest CT YMCA CEO. “This program has been proven, in communities across the U.S., to make a lasting difference. That’s something we’re proud to put our effort behind.”

The Fit Together Families curriculum is adapted from the most widely disseminated and extensively evaluated child weight management program in the world (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do-IT—MEND). Studies have shown the program model is effective in reducing a child’s body mass index and waist circumference, reducing sedentary behaviors, increasing physical activity, and improving self-esteem.

Here are some details and goals of the Fit Together Families program:

• 4 month program consisting of 25 small group classroom and physical activity-based sessions with two trained leaders.
• The goal is to help families have the material to make healthier food choices, become physically active for at least 150 minutes a week, and understand the mindfulness of their everyday actions.
• The child must have clearance from a health care provider or school nurse to participate in physical activity.
• An adult must attend all sessions with the child.
• The cost of the program is $250. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.
• YMCA membership is provided for duration of the program.

To learn more about the Fit Together Families program, please contact Carla Angevine, Fit Together Executive Director at Carla.Angevine@hhchealth.org or 860-496-6676.