Orange County YMCA's Starting New Sessions of Youth Exercise and Nutrition Program

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. - Sept. 27, 2016 - PRLog -- The YMCA of Orange County is ready to begin implementation of their mission-driven youth exercise initiative at three local elementary schools in South Orange County.  The fully funded program is designed to increase the amount of physical activity performed by elementary school-aged children and improve nutritional content of their diets in order to lower the rate of childhood obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in the community.

Students from Laguna Niguel Elementary and Del Obispo Elementary in Laguna Niguel and Viejo Elementary in Mission Viejo will participate in 8 weeks of nutrition, fitness, and bike safety programming that meets 4 times per week over the next couple of months.  Parents will also be required to participate and increase their awareness of family health by attending two nutrition classes.  Successful completion of the program will be measured by the kids' fitness levels and perceptions of healthy eating habits, culminating with a graduation ceremony where all kids will receive a brand new bike, helmet, and lock so they can continue to practice healthy living.

The Earn a Bike program has had tremendous success in past sessions in communities from Orange and Riverside Counties to the San Gabriel Valley.  Results have shown that participants in the program have not only improved their physical abilities, but also lowered their body mass index (BMI), a key indicator of obesity.

The YMCA believes that efforts to combat childhood obesity must be community-wide in order to combat this epidemic and is actively pursuing funding to expand the program to serve even more children and families in the future.  Funding for these particular Earn a Bike sessions is raised through the Laguna Niguel Family YMCA and Mission Viejo Family YMCA's Annual Campaign and generous donations from organizations like The Pacific Life Foundation.  Centered on community events and staff and volunteer giving, the initiative is vital to help deliver this program which has been growing throughout Southern California since its initial session in 2013.

If you would like to be a part of the YMCA's effort to bring healthy living to communities in need, please visit http://ymcaoc.org/donate to give now or set up your very own fundraising campaign.

To learn more about the Earn a Bike program, visit http://www.ymcaoc.org/earn-bike.

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ABOUT YMCASGV/YMCAOC/YMCARC: At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y serves Orange County, Riverside County, and San Gabriel Valley through seven (7) Health & Wellness locations (Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Murrieta, and Santa Ana).  With an additional 150 after school programs, summer camps, sports & swim programs, Adventure Guides parent/child groups, and programs for youth and adults with special needs, YMCAOC is committed to serving our growing and diverse community needs.

YMCA staff and volunteers celebrate and honor common values of respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring by infusing character development into the foundation and practice of all our programs. From youth basketball and swim classes to fitness programs and resident camp, Y programs build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The YMCA of Orange County is a nonprofit, charitable organization that serves the entire community. Donations support our scholarship program and Our Promise – To strive to keep programs open for all. Whether you are looking to get fit, give back, or meet new friends, the Y has something for you! JOIN PLAY GIVE VOLUNTEER www.ymcaoc.org  www.ymcarc.org  www.ymcasgv.org