Sun Life U.S. renews its sponsorship of Project Power, an ADA program that encourages healthy lifestyles. In 2021, Project Power helped 4,600 kids. The program emphasizes education and exercise to reduce childhood obesity. Sun Life aims to improve health and wellness.

Sun Life U.S. has renewed its national sponsorship of Project Power, an ADA program that empowers youth to make healthy lifestyle choices in order to develop lifelong, sustainable, healthy habits. Project Power is a free program that encourages kids and their families to live healthier lives through fun lessons and activities. Project Power worked with over 4,600 children in 2021, focusing on a nutrition and fitness education curriculum, as well as family engagement, including type 2 diabetes risk assessments and parent resources.

"My daughter had a great time participating in the ADA Project Power activities," a Project Power parent said.

"She was always excited to share with us what activities we could/should do as a family before the next meeting, and it helped to impress upon us the importance of eating healthy."

Project Power focuses on education and physical activity to slow the rise of childhood obesity and prevent type 2 diabetes. Children who were surveyed after completing the program demonstrated significant improvements in fitness and nutrition knowledge, as well as increased participation in healthy habits such as:

Identifying all of the components of a healthy plate correctly - 85%
Obtaining energy balance through food and physical activity - 70%
70% of people drink water four or more times per week.

"We are thrilled to have Sun Life's continued support in carrying out Project Power," said Rachel Gibbons, ADA director in New England.

"Sun Life has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the ADA and our mission of assisting people with diabetes, particularly children, to live healthier and thrive."

Sun Life participates in Project Power's educational forums for parents, engaging participant families directly to help them embrace and better understand healthy habits.

"It is critical to establish healthy habits at a young age because it gives people a much better chance of continuing these habits into adulthood," said Dr. Tracy Hamill, medical director at Sun Life U.S.

"I saw the effects of diabetes at all ages when I practiced family medicine, and managing this disease is a full-time job. We must equip our children with the knowledge and skills they need to understand and embrace physical activity, nutrition, and overall wellness. I'm looking forward to once again assisting Project Power families in making the most of this wonderful program."

Sun Life's core mission is to help people achieve better health and wellness outcomes, as well as to improve access to health support services for at-risk and underserved communities. Sun Life partners with the Boston Celtics and the Kansas City Royals to support a variety of community health programs related to diabetes support and awareness for both children and adults, and it also provides an annual grant program for organizations that provide greater access to nutrition programs and diabetes support services.

Source: Sunlife newsroom