A Day for Healthy Kids at the Y

The Westport Weston Family Y hosted "Healthy Kids Day" on Saturday that welcomed members and non-members alike to engage in a variety of activities and events to promote health and wellness.

Children participated in activities to get them moving toward a healthier, more active lifestyle by playing Adventure Gym, Basketball Throw, Open Swim in the Brophy and Stauffer Pools, Moon Bounce, Wii Games and more. Westport First Responders were also on hand with an ambulance, fire truck and police vehicle for a Touch-a-Truck event. Some kids even participated in impromptu karaoke (see video).

Healthy Kids Day is the nation's largest health day for children and families, with more than 1,700 YMCAs across the country encouraging people to learn how simple it can be to improve their health and quality of life.

Jacquie Tumminia, a Senior Director at the Family Y and coordinator of this year's event, understands that issues related to physical inactivity exist even in affluent communities like Westport and Weston. "The combination of too much stress and not enough time can have a negative impact on health, weight, stamina, even frame of mind," she said, "but small, consistent changes – like including physical activity as a regular part of family time and allowing kids to have unstructured playtime – can add up over time to big rewards."

Studies show that children who consistently engage in play are happier and healthier; that they develop and enhance their motor skills, social skills, problem-solving and creativity. Engaging in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day often results in higher self-esteem and better academic performance among children.

"At Healthy Kids Day the atmosphere is festive and there is non-stop activity to engage, energize and exercise every child – from six-month-olds to teenagers," Tumminia said. "And for parents, we'll be providing information to help them keep their families on track with the basics of healthy living on a daily basis."