As communities across Florida continue looking for ways to address childhood health and encourage healthier habits among young people, the University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) is receiving new support for its “Get Moving: Mind, Body & Soul” program. Aetna Better Health of Florida (ABHFL) took part in an event on Tuesday to help expand access to health and wellness activities for children in the area.
As September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, this event puts a spotlight on the importance of giving children and families access to opportunities that make physical activity, nutrition and overall wellness part of everyday life. According to the latest data from the State of Childhood Obesity, 15.1% of Florida youth ages 6–17 are living with obesity, highlighting an ongoing challenge for communities across the state.
Beyond the numbers, programs such like UACDC’s “Get Moving: Mind, Body & Soul” are designed to provide practical opportunities for residents to build healthier routines. The community-based program offers organized sports and educational activities focused on health and nutrition, with programming ranging from youth sports to fitness classes and wellness activities.
The partnership between ABHFL and UACDC represents a focused effort to encourage healthier habits early in life to promote healthy, active lifestyles and help combat the troubling rates of childhood obesity.
As National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month brings renewed attention to childhood health, the UACDC program provides a local example of how community partnerships can translate that conversation into opportunities for residents to get active, learn about wellness and develop healthier habits.
