In the
United States, childhood obesity is becoming a major problem - so much so that Michelle
Obama, the First Lady, is spearheading a campaign to eradicate it. Obese
children are being diagnosed with health problems once considered to be adult-only
illnesses -- diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, fatty liver diseases and
sleep apnea.
For
years, EDIN has been working to teach children and parents the importance of
developing healthy eating habits, promoting positive body-esteem, and the
importance of being active. One of the ways we are making a difference is
through our Love Your Body Week grade school program which is based on the
illustrated children's book, "Full
Mouse, Empty Mouse," by EDIN Founder Dina Zeckhausen, Ph.D. Through a
series of engaging and interactive activities, the program addresses the role
that both parents and peers play in contributing to the development of body
image, including the harmful effects of weight-based teasing. More importantly, the Love Your Body
Week curriculum provides tools for children the engage in healthier lifestyle
habits and exercise.
It is through this program, that we received a grant
from Kaiser Permanente, for the 2009-2010 school year, and were able to
implement the Love Your Body Week program in 9 Atlanta Public Elementary
Schools. I encourage you to take a look at our preliminary findings in which emotions,
fitness/activity, body image and weightism issues among students in the 2nd
- 5th grades were assessed. (Grant report)
Kind regards,
Lisbeth Rhine
lisbeth@myedin.org
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Just a little goes a long way -- together we CAN make a difference.
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