U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown Sees Conversation Maps in Action

November 22, 2010

November 22, 2010
Article from ProMedica News Briefs

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown visited McKinley Elementary School on Oct. 21 to see ProMedica's Healthy Kids Conversation Map program in action. The program has been developed in response to the alarming obesity rates in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan where nearly one third of children are overweight or obese. The incidence of asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions are on the rise as a result. Students in Ms. Pollauf's fourth grade class were engaged in activities that encouraged them to make healthy decisions about food and exercise.

The Senator participated with the children, sharing his own healthy breakfast of choice—oatmeal with fruit. During his time in the classroom, Sen. Brown helped students with true and false questions surrounding topics such as healthy amounts of exercise, portion size, beverage choices, and more. He also joined the students in their physical activity challenge by jogging in place, doing squats and touching his toes.

Following the visit with the students, Sen. Brown spent time learning more about ProMedica's growing Fields of Green obesity prevention program and the hunger-free community initiative. His interest in children and families, and the challenges facing them during these difficult economic times, prompted the discussion and the dialogue with ProMedica representatives and members of the staff at McKinley.