Anti-Obesity Initiative
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Rates of childhood obesity and diabetes are rising by alarming annual percentages across the nation, but the problem is most acute in low-income urban communities. A variety of SASF programs and initiatives focus on raising fitness and nutrition levels in New York City's most at-risk youth. Startlingly, too many public elementary, middle and high schools across the five boroughs lack on-site gymnasiums or playgrounds, where students are able to participate in basic physical education programming and burn calories. To serve this need, SASF’s Anti-Obesity Physical Wellness Initiative that provides off-site fitness and wellness programming at athletic facilities during the school day. SASF provides students with the opportunity to enjoy free school-day physical fitness programming at premier sports facilities and specially-selected community centers. SASF created a partnership among the New York City Council, the Department of Education and the Department of Youth and Community Development to establish the support necessary to launch the program in 2007. An additional component of the Anti-Obesity Initiative created a partnership with the Brooklyn-based Healthy Families Foundation and the Salem Baptist Church in Flatbush to provide members of the church community with fitness programs and nutrition counseling throughout the year. Improvements in participants’ fitness levels were recorded, and SASF seeks to replicate the model of coordination with faith-based communities to improve health and fitness levels in many neighborhoods. Click here to learn about SASF's C.H.A.M.P.S. Middle School Sports and Fitness Program. |
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