Healthy Living
The Y aims to improve the nation’s health and well-being by providing programs and activities that promote wellness, reduce risk for disease and help others reclaim their health. These programs and everything else the Y does are in service of making us—our Ys and our communities—better. The result is a country that values health and communities that support healthy choices. The Y.™ For a better us.
Community Integrated HealthCommunity Integrated Health work is happening at local Ys as they work to improve the health and well-being of all through our suite of chronic disease prevention programs. Click below to download a PDF of South Carolina YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program and Evidence-Based Health Interventions maps:
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a small-group program developed and established in partnership with the LIVESTRONG Foundation, assists those who are living with, through, or beyond cancer to strengthen their spirit, mind and body. Recent research from the Yale Cancer Center and Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Institute confirmed that LIVESTRONG at the YMCA participants experience improved fitness and quality of life as well as significant decreases in cancer-related fatigue. This 12-week program (two 75-90-minute sessions per week) includes cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, balance, and flexibility exercises. Click here to download the latest fact sheet about the program impact in South Carolina. EnhanceFitness Enhance®Fitness, an evidence-based group exercise program for older adults that uses simple, easy-to-learn movements that motivate individuals (particularly those with arthritis) to stay active throughout their life. Each class session includes cardiovascular, strength training, balance and flexibility exercises and fosters strong social relationships between participants. Participants can use chairs for support, if necessary, and increase the weight they use for strength training at their own pace. Click here for more information The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program helps overweight adults at risk for type 2 diabetes reduce their risk for developing the disease by taking steps that will improve their overall health and well-being. The program provides a supportive environment where participants work together to achieve the program goals of reducing individual weight by 7% and building up to 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week for the purpose of reducing their risk for developing diabetes. The program is delivered over a 12-month period in a classroom setting. Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring The YMCA’s Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program helps adults with hypertension lower and manage their blood pressure through the process of regulated home monitoring of one’s blood pressure and individualized support, physical activity and nutrition education to produce a well-balanced program. Evidence shows that regular physical activity and proper nutrition are both essential elements for effective blood pressure management. Moving For Better Balance is a 12-week evidence-based group exercise program developed by researchers at the Oregon Research Institute. The program, based on the principles of Tai Chi, is led by a qualified instructor and teaches eight movements modified especially for falls prevention. The program works to improve balance, muscle strength, flexibility and mobility to enhance overall physical health, which leads to better functioning in daily activities. Participation in the program may also result in better mental health, reduced stress, improved memory and cognition, and increased self-esteem. In addition to the program’s physical benefits, the safe, supportive group setting provides an opportunity for participants to enjoy learning with like-minded adults and find relief from the isolation that can sometimes come from living with limited mobility. In the United States, one-third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. The Y can help youth 7-13 years of age who are carrying excess weight (≥95th BMI percentile) and their families through Healthy Weight and Your Child. Healthy Weight and Your Child focuses on healthy eating, regular physical activity, and behavior change to empower children to live a healthier and active lifestyle. Families will work with trained Leaders for the duration of the 25-session program. 