Whyalla Recreation Centre moves to combat childhood obesity

In an aggressive move against the rise in childhood obesity, Whyalla Recreation Centre members will receive free membership for their children aged under 10.

The YMCA South Australia initiative, which is available immediately to all current and new all-access members, has been launched with the aim of encouraging parents and guardians to be active with their children in a bid to combat the current trend towards a sedentary lifestyle.

YMCA South Australia CEO Haydn Robins said the move would create a number of positive outcomes for both children and their families.

The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) state that 23.2 per cent of South Australian children aged between 2 and 17 years are overweight or obese.

This alarming statistic is supported by the latest Active Healthy Kids Australia report card which grades Aussie kids with a D minus for overall physical activity levels and screen time.

“The more inactive a child is, the greater their risk of becoming overweight and children who engage in physical activities that they enjoy, tend to spend less time in front of screens,” said Mr Robins.

“Free Child Membership is designed to make it easier for a visit to Whyalla Recreation Centre to become ‘family time’. There is a complimentary KidsClub that children can attend while parents exercise, then afterwards the family can use the pools or play court games in the stadium. By removing the cost barrier, what has been a traditional adult-based activity is now practical for the whole family.”

Special Spring membership offer

New members who join Whyalla Recreation Centre in September will have their joining fee waived as well as gaining access to the incentive together with reciprocal rights to all YMCA South Australia managed centres.