PSU students take childhood obesity message to elementary schools

  Monday, September 16, 2013 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

PSU students take childhood obesity message to elementary schools

In observance of Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, two Pittsburg State University students are taking the fight directly to the students, themselves.

Lindsey Gordon and Hillary Dickey, both graduate students in PSU’s Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, have created a program on understanding and preventing childhood obesity that they are taking to Pittsburg elementary schools.

“Hillary and I see one physical education class at a time and we talk briefly with them about what childhood obesity is and how to prevent it through good nutrition and physical activity,” Gordon said. “Then we have them do stations and obstacle courses. At the end of class we ask them what two things they can do to prevent obesity, let them get a drink, and send them on their way.”

Gordon and Dickey also leave information sheets to be sent home to parents so they can better understand and help prevent childhood obesity.

“It is important for students, even very young students, to understand the risks of obesity and what they can do to live better, healthier lives,” Gordon said.

According to letsmove.gov, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled over the past three decades. Today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. For more information, visit letsmove.gov or http://healthfinder.gov/NHO/SepResources.aspx.


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