LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The seeds of obesity are sown in childhood and are often carried into adulthood, and obesity plays a significant role in causing many costly adult health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, orthopedic complications, sleep apnea and depression.
It’s imperative that healthy eating and exercise habits are learned at a young age so that an adolescent is more likely to carry these routines into adulthood. Weight management at any age is based on lifestyle intervention and change.
The Healthy & Active Youth program addresses these issues in youths ages 11 to 17 and incorporates all elements of fitness and nutrition.
The multifaceted program includes exercise training, nutritional counseling, behavioral counseling, medical management, education on the use of exercise equipment and a fitness step tracker. It is a fun and educational way to get teens moving — and on the right path to a healthier way of life.
The fall session is 16 weeks and will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday nights from Sept. 3 to Dec. 17 with occasional weekend events. The deadline to apply is Friday, Aug. 16.
An orientation session will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
The program is held in the Health Management Center located on the Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock campus as well as other locations for field trips.
The Healthy & Active Youth program strives to change habits at an early age to help provide a lifetime of good health and a healthier Arkansas.
To register or learn more about the program, visit baptist-health.com or call (501) 202-2001.
Baptist Health is an Arkansas-based, locally owned and managed, not-for-profit, and faith-based health care organization. Baptist Health is also Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization with more than 200 access points and approximately 11,000 employees operating 11 hospitals. For more information about Baptist Health, visit baptist-health.com or call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.