Healthy Lifestyles

CMOM’s Healthy Lifestyles Initiative motivates and inspires children and families in New York City to maintain healthy and active lifestyles to prevent obesity. Through a new health exhibit and family programs at the Museum and in the community, CMOM will help families to establish health literacy, good nutrition and daily exercise. With programs that use literacy, art, culture, science, movement and cooking activities, CMOM Healthy Lifestyles offers a creative and fun approach to developing a healthy mindset and lifelong habits.

National Institutes of Health

CMOM has offered innovative family health programs for many years, but we have launched a new national Early Childhood Obesity Prevention program in cooperation with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). CMOM will adapt the We Can!™ (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition!) curriculum, a scientifically-based obesity prevention program for children ages 8-13 developed and tested by NIH, for early childhood audiences and pilot test the curriculum with children ages 2-5 in high need communities in New York and Louisiana. CMOM will also create a new exhibit to reinforce We Can! messages focused on improving nutritional and dietary habits, and increasing physical activity.

Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS)

Since 2007, the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS) and CMOM have worked together to provide parents and school-aged children in low-income areas of New York City with motivating programs that impact nutrition, activity and other health-related practices. CHCANYS and CMOM have delivered health education training at health clinics throughout the City, serving health center professionals, staff at community-based organizations and parents who serve as community leaders and advocates for children’s health and well-being.