GREENFIELD — Do you have a tween who would like to learn how to slim down?
The YMCA in Greenfield is opening registration for the next MIGHTY program, a pediatric weight management program committed to helping youths age 10 through 13 with support of their parents/guardians.
MIGHTY, which stands for Moving, Improving and Gaining Health Together at the Y, begins in April and is run in partnership with Baystate Children’s Hospital and Kohl’s Cares.
“The MIGHTY Program will help to achieve the goal of reducing risk factors in adolescents and providing education and tools that they can carry with them throughout their lives,” said Ron Bryant, Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s president.
The program meets bi-weekly on Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for six months. The youth participate in a P.E. class at 4:30 and then join their parents or guardians from 5:30 to 6:30 for workshops. One Thursday a month a nutritionist will discuss healthy food options, cooking and shopping. The second Thursday a behavioral specialist will also work with families on how to make lifestyle improvements and stick to them.
“We started our first 12-week MIGHTY program in January with 11 families,” Dawn Dorsey, YMCA health and wellness director said. “Baystate provides MIGHTY written material in English and Spanish. As an incentive, all of the families receive a free YMCA silver family membership for regular attendance, which adults can utilize to get their own exercise and their families are able to attend Family Swims and Family Fun Nights.”
Dorsey said her goal is to help them make movement a regular, safe, lifetime activity. The Y staff is also planning a special time in the pool for MIGHTY families to bond and learn to enjoy the pool safely. Parents can contact her at 413-773-3646, ext. 428 for information about the next six-month session or to reserve a spot in the March 28 registration night.
Bob Sunderland, YMCA executive director, said the YMCA created a similar Prescribe the Y Program eight years ago with two primary-care providers referring their patients for a free consultation with fitness specialists. The specialists review each person’s health needs and wellness goals and determine which of the Y’s many fitness options would best work for the patient.
“We now have over 70 PCPs (primary-care providers) referring up to 800 people a year to our YMCA. Starting this fall, most of the 27 YMCAs in the state will be adopting our RxY model at their Y,” said Sunderland. “Our Y has the programs and staff to change people’s lives – because truly exercise is medicine. We have financial aid to cover up to 70 percent of all programs and memberships.”