YMCA Pilot Program - Healthy Balance
Ann Glora, B.S., ACE, AFAA, Eileen Kelly, FRA, Kelly Fernandes, B.S., NSCA,
Jane Pentz, Ph.D.
PURPOSE: The
YMCA Total Health Initiative, launched in January of 2003, would be enhanced
by adding a nutritional component. Healthy Balance was designed as a possible
solution. The purpose of the six week pilot program was to measure the effectiveness
of incorporating nutrition, exercise and stress reduction in a group setting
to produce healthy lifestyle changes in participants.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
Two groups of ten participants from two different Greater Boston, MA, YMCAs
were chosen from completed questionnaires during informational meetings. Participants
were asked to set 6 week goals and objectives, attend 6 classes, keep nutrition/exercise
journals and make healthy changes in their eating patterns, stress levels and
exercise routines. The outcome measure was an exit survey centered around initial
goals, utilizing the SMART rule for setting realistic goals (Specific, Measurable,
A value, Realistic, Time).
RESULTS: Eighteen
participants (90%) completed the six week program. Three participants were YMCA
nonmembers. All three became YMCA members along with two family members, for
a total of five new memberships. Fifteen participants completed the exit survey.
Five participants (33%) indicated they achieved all their initial goals; three
(20%) said they achieved most of their goals; and seven (47%) said they achieved
some of their goals. No one said that they did not achieve their original goals.
CONCLUSION:
YMCA Healthy Balance program is a viable, successful lifestyle changing program.
Healthy Balance is also a viable program for attracting new members.
Please click here to view a PDF file with
more details on the pilot program results.
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