Students learn to shun salt and sugar, embrace yoga

Students learn to shun salt and sugar, embrace yoga. Humber College nursing student Ashleigh Walker, centre, works on some yoga with Downsview Secondary School students including Michael Roye, left, and Bright Ofori on Friday. Humber College has been running a program for 11 weeks, teaching Grade 9 students about healthy life choices aimed at reducing the incidence of Type 2 diabetes. (Nov. 27, 2009) Staff photo/LISA QUEEN

But the 14-year-old has learned the dangers of junk food and a sedentary lifestyle, thanks to an innovative 11-week program.

Third-year nursing students at Humber College taught Downsview's Grade 9 students about the risks associated with Type 2 diabetes, which is often related to obesity.

The course, called Feed your body, move your body, love your body, ended with a two-day event Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27.

On Thursday, the focus was on healthy eating, with the students learning how to read package labels, make healthy grab-and-go breakfasts and whip up a delicious stir fry.

On Friday, the students participated in physical activities such as bowling, jump rope, dancing, hula hoops and yoga.

While Bright isn't making any unrealistic promises like he'll never eat another cookie or surf the Internet, he said the program helped him realize the importance of balanced meals and physical activity.

"It was a new experience in my life because I usually eat junk food. I really don't exercise unless I have a coach with me. I usually do my homework on the computer and go to sleep," he said.

"I think it (the lessons learned from the program) will change my habits. I will eat less junk food and salt. I learned salt is another word for sodium. It can cause stroke, kidney disease and etc. Sugar causes diabetes, which can eventually cause you to be blind."

Grade 9 student Michael Roye said he led a fairly healthy lifestyle before the course, eating good food and exercising regularly,

But he still learned important information, such as the fact that a can of pop contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar.

"Maybe I will give up pop. Pop is really unhealthy for you. You should try new things (activities)," Michael said.

The program is important in an age when more youngsters are living unhealthy lifestyles, Toronto District School Board York Centre Trustee James Pasternak said.

"Given the rising prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents, which will have both short- and long-term physical and psycho-social health implications, these initiatives are vital to the continued health and learning of our students," he said.

Humber nursing student Ashleigh Walker said the course taught teenagers the need to make healthy daily choices, even if it's just adding an extra five minutes of physical activity to their routines or building a healthy breakfast such as yogurt and granola into their mornings.

"When we first came, a lot (of the students) said they didn't have time for breakfast, they would rather sit on the computer and Facebook rather than eat breakfast," she said.

"Our whole goal is to address the risk factors associated with diabetes, which is obesity. It's on the rise in youth."

Walker believes the program has made a difference.

For example, Downsview has agreed to implement a five-minute movement initiative into the school day. And many students have said they will reduce the amount of sugary pop they drink.

"A lot said, 'Oh my gosh, I'm going to drink water more,'" she said.

This is the second year Humber nursing students have taught a health program to students. Last year, the focus was on mental health.