Originally published February 13 2006
Pharmacists take time to educate high school teens on nutrition and exercise
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Professors and students from Rutgers University's Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy talked to New Jersey high school students about how to "Shape It Up," in an anti-obesity program designed to educate teenagers about healthy eating and exercise strategies.
LITTLE FALLS - Students at School 3 participated in the second annual "Shape It Up" program in the school's gym, where they learned about healthy eating, the importance of exercise and what happens when you don't get enough of both.
Doctor of pharmacy students and post-doctoral fellows from Rutgers University's Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy led the program Thursday morning.
They used lectures, physical activities and a question-and-answer session to raise students' awareness about preventing obesity.
"There's a big problem with obesity among young people," said Peter P. Anley, an assistant professor at the pharmacy school, who |helped facilitate the program.
"We want |to instill in them the importance of healthy |eating and exercise as early as possible."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 15.3 percent of American children ages 6 to 11 are clinically obese, or have an excessive accumulation of body fat.
Jessica Winnie, 25, showed the third- and fourth-graders what a blocked artery looks |like by helping them heap shortening into a clear plastic tube.
Winnie then poured "blood," or red fruit punch, down the clogged tube.
"If we don't eat healthy, when we get older, we could get a disease," said Suzie Fischbach, 10.
John Colaizzi, dean of the pharmacy school, said there has been a significant increase in high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetic problems in young children.
"Obesity incidences among elementary school-aged children may often result in serious health issues in adulthood," Colaizzi said.
"It's imperative to teach children at an early age how to exercise and eat a healthy diet to improve their lives and also reduce health care costs."
"I'm definitely going to try to eat more veggies," said Jennifer Najjar, 9.
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