Biloxi Students Get Larger Than Life Tour of the Human Body
Less than 15% of American children eat the recommended servings of fruit per day, while two thirds eat more fat than is advised. This is why the M.S.U. Extension Service sponsors the Body Walk, a 40 foot by 40 foot walkthrough exhibit representing the human body. It shows children firsthand the importance of being healthy. Katie Bouchillon, Body Walk Coordinator, says, "What we’re hoping is to plant seeds in the children so they can make their own healthy choices because as we all know, Mississippi has a huge obesity problem.”
Tuesday, second grade students from all over Biloxi walked through the body. Students started in the brain and learned that eating a healthy breakfast kick starts brain functionality. Then the students moved to the mouth, learning why it’s important to brush your teeth. The tour ended with a review of everything they learned.
Hands on activities, like finding out what the human brain actually feels like, are meant to engage students and encourage them to partake in a healthier lifestyle and by what some of these students told News 25, they’re getting the point. Elijah, a 2nd grader at Gorenflo Elementary School, says, “Some food, like fat, can’t keep your blood flowing right, but if you don’t eat fat, your blood can flow good.”
Extension leaders hope interactive exhibits like this will educate kids about healthy choices early on and will help lower our state’s obesity rate in the long run.
Bouchillon closes, "Hopefully they will start a healthy habit now and that will follow them into their teenage years and then hopefully adulthood. So our ultimate long term goal is healthy adult Mississippians.”
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