3rd graders learn how to eat right so they won’t get fat

‘Smart Bodies’ program makes healthy choices fun

Childhood obesity is epidemic in St. Charles Parish just as it is nationwide. And that's why the new "Smart Bodies" program for 3rd-graders is so important - it's teaching kids how to eat right and make other lifestyle choices that will help them lose weight or stay slim.

The benefits could be life-changing for many children.

According to the Louisiana State University AgCenter and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, the creators of Smart Bodies, by making the healthy food and fitness choices, students will reduce their risk of getting obesity-related illnesses like:

Diabetes.

Heart disease.

High blood pressure.

Depression.

As you can see from our photograph, the program is hands-on and interactive - the kinds of things that make learning fun.

The Body Walk, pictured, is a sprawling "stroll-through" exhibit complete with 10 stations that represent different parts of the human body.

Classroom activities prepare the students for the walk that begins with a tour and discussion of the brain and ends with facts about the skin.