The Y vs. obesity

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January 31, 2008

Suzanne Laurent The Daily News of Newburyport Thu Jan 31, 2008, 04:10 PM EST

The YMCA is taking on the national obesity epidemic through an initiative organizers hope will help shed its reputation as that building in town where you can sign up your kids for summer camp, and move it to the forefront as a leader in the quest for a healthier United States.

While the initiative, called Activate America, does work to build healthy living skills among the younger segment of the population, it’s not just for children.

Activate America is targeted at the 40 percent of U.S. residents who crave a healthier lifestyle but waver in their pursuit of it, said Neil Nicoll, president of YMCA of the USA — the parent group to 967 independently run YMCA associations across the country.

So far, more than 370 Ys have signed on. North of Boston locations are among them.

“This is a nationwide initiative and commitment made by the YMCAs to redefine our role in the community as it pertains to addressing the health epidemic facing our nation,” said Stephen Ives, president and CEO of the Merrimack Valley YMCA with branches serving Andover/North Andover, Lawrence and Methuen.

Founded in the mid-19th century, the Young Men’s Christian Association has expanded far beyond its name. It welcomes all faiths, half the 20.2 million people it serves are female and more than half are adults.

With that diverse clientele in mind, the Y is redefining itself, hoping to become America’s paramount fitness and anti-obesity crusader.

“A lot of our population doesn’t respond to what your gym teacher told you,” Nicoll said. “They’re looking for personal support, done in a more holistic way. We want programs geared to group activity so people can develop connections instead of just running in and out.”

Chris Lovasco, chief operating officer for the North Shore YMCA, said an assessment of its members revealed 85 percent are struggling health seekers like the ones Nicoll describes.

“We’ve modified our tours to new members asking what they want and not just showing them what we have to offer,” said Lovasco, whose organization has branches in Haverhill, Beverly, Ipswich, Salem, Mass., Cape Ann and Marblehead.

Those at the Merrimack Valley Y observed similar dynamics among members and implemented a training program to help staff develop fitness programs people can commit to over the long term.

Some programs already are in place.

“In many of our child-care programs, we’ve implemented a physical activity component as part of the curriculum,” Ives said.

At the teen level, he said, there’s a running program through which they can train for and participate in a 5K road race.

Adults can take a variety of classes that include aerobics, yoga and tai chi. There also are programs geared for the older crowd, like a senior citizens’ spinning class.

“I envision over the next year or two going forward with initiatives that will lead to a stronger involvement with agencies in the community, such as senior centers and school districts,” Ives said.

North Shore Y, too, is working with a variety of community organizations, including boards of health, local governments and school systems to form wellness coalitions.

“We’re activating the community,” Lovasco said. “Not just the Ys.”

Lovasco said the collaborations resulted in the town of Beverly reinstating its annual track-and-field event, the Salem school system starting a walking program utilizing pedometers to help people track their activity, and one of the local Rotary Clubs holding a “biggest loser” contest. The latter is a take on the popular reality TV show of the same name, in which participants compete in weight loss.

“When the YMCA looked at a changing America, what they saw was a lifestyle that was getting out of control,” said Wes Alles, a Stanford University School of Medicine researcher who helped design the Y initiative.

Lenny Mercier, chief executive officer of the Community YMCA of Danvers, said each Y is modifying Activate America to best suit its members and resources.

“It’s a philosophy of looking to health seekers and giving them an alternate lifestyle,” he said. “Each Y makes their own commitment as to what part of the program of Activate America they’ll use.”

Mercier said the Danvers Y calls one initiative the Physical Activities Club, known as PAC, an off-spin of Activate America.

Kids ages 10 to 14 sign up with a sponsor, usually a parent, who will attend the first couple of classes with the child t.

The Danvers Y also works with the local school district, encouraging health teachers and school nurses to steer kids into the program.

PAC participants are trained to use the exercise and cardio equipment at the facility. They also learn healthy eating habits, keeping logs of their meals and snacks.

“If we can turn these kids into thinking about not just sitting in front of a screen after school, we get them involved for life,” Mercier said. “The PAC program gives us a chance to steer them in the right direction over eight weeks.”

Currently, two groups of 20 children are participating in the program that is free for the first two months. At the end of that period, people are required to join the Y and pay membership fees.

The cost of Y membership varies according to location, but the organization is founded on the premise that no one will be turned away.

“While we don’t have endless resources, we make sure that everyone can come and afford it,” Mercier said.

Financial assistance is available and that’s what separates the Y from other organizations, said Elizabeth Covino, a spokesperson for the Merrimack Valley YMCA.

“In 2007 we gave $1.25 million in financial aid,” said Lovasco of the North Shore Y.

David MacLeod, a Central Michigan University historian who has studied American nonprofits and youth groups, said the new health initiative might baffle some of the Y’s 19th Century founders. Still, he said, it fits with a long tradition of change.

“The YMCA is an excellent case study of adaptation and survival,” he said. “They have a history of openness to new ideas.”

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