YMCAs Expand Programs to Respond to Nation’s Growing Health Crisis

CHICAGO, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Amidst the nation’s unprecedented health crisis, YMCAs across the country, long known for building holistic health in spirit, mind and body, have dramatically increased programs to address weight gain and obesity among youth and adults, according to statistics released today by YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the nation’s 2,663 YMCAs.

Annual data for 2006 reveals an increase of 50 percent since 2005, to 720, in the number of YMCAs that offer programs addressing child obesity, and a 70 percent increase in YMCAs that provide adult obesity programming, to 1,750. YMCAs with nutrition programs are up almost 30 percent, to 700, over the same two-year period, while Ys offering weight management programs — a combination of nutrition, physical activity and family education/involvement — jumped 165 percent, to 566.

Programs extend beyond the walls of YMCAs into to schools, community centers and businesses. In fact, YMCAs involved in community health and well- being coalitions increased 30 percent, to 723, in 2006.

“For nearly 160 years, America’s YMCAs have been meeting the most pressing challenges of the communities we serve. Activate America(R) is the YMCA’s bold approach to directly address the nation’s growing health crisis by engaging communities across the country to support people of all ages in their pursuit of well-being in spirit, mind and body,” said Neil Nicoll, YMCA of the USA president and chief executive officer. “YMCAs are uniquely positioned to help bring positive change, not just to individuals and families, but also on a larger scale to school districts, neighborhoods and entire cities.”

Open to all, regardless of age, race, sex, faith, background, ability or income, YMCAs are collectively the country’s largest not-for-profit community service organization. YMCAs saw overall membership of 20.2 million in 2006. YMCA membership spans all age groups with half of all members under the age of 18, 15 percent between 18 and 29, almost 30 percent between 30 and 54 years, and 11 percent age 55 and older.

YMCAs remain the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of child care, providing high-quality, affordable care to more than 500,000 children through nearly 10,000 YMCA-operated child care sites across the country. More than 900 Ys offer family-centered programs, from family nights to parenting classes.

Supported and led by 563,282 volunteers, YMCAs owe their combined strength to the consistent generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations and public entities at every level. Contributed income reached $933 million, or 16.6 percent of combined total YMCA funding in 2006, supporting facilities, programs and services in communities across the United States. “We simply could not reach all of the people we do, and have the kind of impact we do, without this strong public support,” said Nicoll. “It’s genuinely an honor, and a trust we take very, very seriously.”

   Other items of note in 2006:   — 1,496 Ys serve communities where the median family income is below the      U.S. average.   — Ys provide financial assistance to 20 percent of children/youth in      their child care programs.   — 1,525 YMCAs have committed to Activate America(R), a bold approach to      directly address the nation’s growing health crisis by engaging      communities across the country to support people of all ages in their      pursuit of well-being in spirit, mind and body.   — YMCAs work abroad, serving more than 45 million people in more than      120 countries.    Top YMCA Programs:  

In 2006, the most popular YMCA programs, ranked by number of YMCAs offering them, included: day camp, character development, youth basketball, aerobic group exercise, strength training and school-age child care.

YMCA of the USA’s annual statistics were tallied from the responses of 2,476 YMCAs to a questionnaire on 2006 programs and operations collected in the first quarter of 2007. Additional YMCA statistics can be found online at http://www.ymca.net/. Click on: “About the YMCA.”

Located in Chicago, YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation’s 2,663 YMCAs, which serve nearly 20.2 million people each year, including 9.4 million children under the age of 18. Through a variety of programs and services focused on the holistic development of children and youth, health and well-being for all, and family strengthening, YMCAs unite men, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. From urban areas to small towns, YMCAs have proudly served America’s communities for nearly 160 years by building healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Visit http://www.ymca.net/ to find your local YMCA.

   Contact:   Brad McDermott   YMCA of the USA   312-419-8180   brad.mcdermott@ymca.net  

YMCA of the USA

CONTACT: Brad McDermott of YMCA of the USA, +1-312-419-8180,brad.mcdermott@ymca.net

Web site: http://www.ymca.net/