Healthy Lifestyles
Healthy Lifestyles is an education and awareness program designed to improve the health and well-being of Chicago’s Westside residents and supports lifelong healthy behaviors. The program teaches practical
skills to help lose weight and live a healthier life. The goals of Healthy Lifestyles include helping residents learn to make healthier food choices and increasing community awareness of health, nutrition, and fitness, while helping to build relationships among community members. The Healthy Lifestyles program is aimed at individuals aged 17 and up.
Participants are referred from five local health care providers, who provide clinical support and oversight to the project through monthly meetings held at WHA. The program is also marketed in area newspapers, local businesses and organizations, and by word of mouth. Participants pay $60 annually, which primarily offsets the costs for the rental space at the Austin YMCA. The costs of the nutrition education programs are free. Participants, upon enrolling, receive a “passport” in which they may record points for such activities as attending a fitness or nutritional session or recruiting a new member. Prizes are awarded as points accumulate, and have included goody bags, manicures, and massages.
Healthy Lifestyles’ two main program components include:
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Nutrition: A nurse consultant and nutritionist provide education classes (every other Wednesday evening), private consultation on participants’ dietary intake, and monitor their body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure upon initiation into the program, and subsequently on a quarterly basis.
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Fitness: Provided four days a week by a fitness trainer, classes include aqua aerobics, cardiovascular workout, muscle strengthening and relaxation and are offered at the Austin YMCA.
Jr. Healthy Lifestyles
The Westside Health Authority also promotes healthier diet choices and more physical activity among its
youth. The Junior Healthy Lifestyles program strives to promote early nutrition education and decrease poor eating habits for youth. The goals of the Junior Healthy Lifestyles Program are to help youth make good food choices, stay active, and to make friends. The Junior Healthy Lifestyles program is free and is aimed at children aged 6-16. In addition to reaching children via WHA’s Every Block a Village (EBV) Kids after-school programs, Junior Healthy Lifestyles is also working with local elementary schools and park districts to introduce its program throughout the Austin neighborhood.
Both Healthy Lifestyles programs are currently funded by the UIC Chicago Partnership for Health Promotions, a USDA Food Stamp Nutrition Education program. Additionally, we have received generous support from Teen REACH, Austin Cook County Wellness Center and the Austin YMCA.
For more information about the Healthy
Lifestyles & Junior Healthy Lifestyles programs, contact us at 773-786-0249.
