This organization is the publisher for the official guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). Use the website to find CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) trainings near you, or to purchase training materials. They also have helpful information on heart-healthy living (such as eating, fitness, quitting smoking), heart conditions (heart attack and stroke symptoms, congenital heart defects, and more), and tools for healthcare professionals and educators.
(800) 242-8721
Main Website: heart.org
CPR Classes: cpr.heart.org
Columbus has parks and recreation centers throughout the city and surrounding areas. They provide a variety of programs, camps and classes for children, teens and adults. Financial assistance/Scholarships for programs may be available. Click below to find local programs in your neighborhood.
Provides nutrition and healthy eating tips, recipes, articles and more from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The website has helpful information on a wide variety of topics, including nutrition for kids and seniors, managing weight and health conditions through food, cultural cuisines, and LGBTQ+ health. Use the online directory to find a registered dietician near you.
eatright.org
This website was created by a pediatrician to help break down the science behind nutrition and weight management. The website has free science courses on Nutrition & Weight Management, General Exercise, and Childhood Obesity. They also post educational videos on Youtube. The Full courses are a good fit for students or professionals, while the Condensed courses may be more helpful for families looking for an overview of the science.
Website: healthierwithscience.com
Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCrUPKyjMCWMLdqmf6SCWkgQ
Combats childhood obesity through programs aimed at teaching youth and families healthy lifestyle habits. They provide free resources for parents, schools, and community organizations such as downloadable lesson plans, activities, and Parent Guides focused on physical activity, healthy eating, and achieving personal goals.
(602) 252-3453
healthylifestars.org
Community health and wellness center providing free holistic health and wellness programs in an inclusive space. Programs include cooking and nutrition, diabetes prevention, exercise classes, wellness and stress management, financial education, healthy babies, and mom support groups. The Cooking Demo & Discussion Course includes a live cooking demo, sample of the recipe, meal kit, and entry for a free kitchen appliance for attendees who make the recipe at home. Go online to find healthy recipes, program descriptions, and to register for a program.
(614) 234-4660
777 West State Street, Columbus, Ohio 43222
mountcarmelhealth.com/about-us/community-benefit/outreach-programs/healthy-living-center
MyPlate is the official visual guide for modern healthy eating from the USDA (previously the food pyramid). MyPlate makes it easy to remember to choose healthy foods and portions, and is easily customizable for your age or health concerns. The website has helpful information on healthy eating, nutrition throughout life stages and pregnancy, recipes and tutorials, and tools for professionals. Take the online quiz or use the MyPlate app to set and track your personal nutrition goals.
choosemyplate.gov
Provides comprehensive care for children ages 2 and older to combat obesity and help families build healthy lifestyles. The website has helpful information for families and providers on nutrition, physical activity, managing obesity, and surgical options.
(614) 722-4824
nationwidechildrens.org/center-for-healthy-weight-nutrition
Offers three medical weight loss programs for children and adolescents who struggle with being overweight. Contact the Center for Healthy Weight & Nutrition for more information about the cost and insurance coverage.
(614) 722-4824
nationwidechildrens.org/medical-weight-management-program
A medically-supervised wellness program that uses play to help children build confidence and learn that exercise can be enjoyable. The program includes group exercise classes, 1:1 rehabilitation sessions, field trips, and family engagement. Children are referred to this program by a healthcare provider and the cost is billed to medical insurance. The program is available at three locations:
(614) 355-8735
nationwidechildrens.org/Play-Strong
This website from Nemours Children’s Health offers tons of important health information for kids, teens, and their parents. Kids can find fun videos on how the body works and approachable answers to questions like, how do casts work? The Teen website covers topics like depression, sexual health, smoking, coping with cliques, binge drinking, body image and much more. Parents can find medically-reviewed articles on how vaccines work, how to choose a car seat, developmental milestones, supporting kids’ emotional wellbeing, healthy eating, and more. Educators can also find free health-related lesson plans for PreK-12.
Kids: kidshealth.org/en/kids
Teens: kidshealth.org/en/teens
Parents: kidshealth.org/en/parents
Offers helpful information for parents and healthcare providers to promote healthy habits and prevent obesity. Click the links under Parent, Caregiver & Provider Resources for printable handouts in English and Spanish on topics including breastfeeding, stress-free mealtime, meal planning, nutrition, positive parenting tips, and encouraging physical activity.
ohioaap.org/education-cme-moc-ii/parenting-at-mealtime-and-playtime
The OSU College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences works with families, farmers, business owners, and community leaders to offer programs for community enrichment across Ohio. Programs in Franklin County include:
2548 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 866-6900
franklin.osu.edu/program-areas
Adaptive fitness program for people with physical, neurological, and developmental challenges, and their caregivers, to achieve optimal health and fitness. Athletic trainers, gyms, and recreation centers can become certified in the program. They provide personal training and group fitness classes at their partner gyms in Central Ohio. Individuals can call or go online for an intake meeting where Valemee will get to know you and your goals, perform an assessment, and find a gym near you.
(614) 937-8309
valemee.com
This website from the National Institutes of Health offers resources for parents to help children 8-13 years old maintain a healthy weight and live an active lifestyle. Find helpful articles and printable worksheets on healthy eating, play and physical activity, and screen time.
nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan
Hosts programs for all ages, including health and fitness, swimming, childcare, summer camps, juvenile justice, and housing services.
Locations & Contact Info: ymcacolumbus.org/locations
YMCA Columbus Main Website: ymcacolumbus.org