Six girls, including Paola and Silvia, (pictured top left) and six boys competed this past year in the YWCA of Minneapolis’ first-ever Splash and Dash relay, a 100 yard swim/1 mile run. Funded by a United Way Gap Grant, the relay is part of "Strong, Fast, Fit," a health prevention program aimed at kids ages 8-17.

Because of health disparities among Hispanic and Latino populations, like juvenile diabetes and obesity, the first three years of the YWCA’s program were focused on that ethnic group. The program is so popular, there’s a waiting list. This year, the program is expanding to recruit Native American youth.

Luis Ramirez, (pictured below left) coordinator of the YWCA’s juvenile obesity program, said the fitness events create a sense of community and people really get into cheering for the kids. He added, "We’re a big family. We’re a big community. We have to work together."

A twelve-month commitment, the program incorporates healthy cooking classes, educational games and exercise (like swimming, kickball and an obstacle course). Each program participant gets their own health binder full of information like their Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight goals, as well as week-by-week campaigns, like reducing the amount of soda their family consumes. The group meets twice a week.

Eager to learn and to help their children accomplish their health goals, parents and even extended family often sit in during the educational part of the meetings. The kids couldn’t be successful without the support of their family. After all, said Sue Duoos (pictured with Luis), Community Outreach Director for Health and Fitness, "Kids aren’t the ones buying the [family’s] groceries."

Obesity is one of the leading causes of chronic illness (like diabetes and heart disease). Minorities and low-income people are disproportionately affected by chronic, yet preventable, illnesses.

United Way’s Agenda for Lasting Change focuses on 10 measurable goals in our three focus areas: Meeting Basic Needs, Supporting Health and Independence and Nurturing Children and Families. One goal is increasing healthy preventive behaviors among an additional 15,000 children by 2010.

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