Healthy Eating & Healthy Living

By Linda White
Reporter
Published: October 15, 2008

In this PE class it’s not just about physical education, it’s about learning a way of life.  Although other schools have participated longer in this pilot program called Healthy Eating & Healthy Living or HEAL, this is the first year for these fifth graders at Gardendale Elementary.  Here they’re mastering cardiophysiology.
Students actually keep track of their heart rate with these monitors.  Researchers want to make sure the kids are getting all the benefits of aerobic exercise.  The heart rate monitors are part of what makes gym fun.

Fifth Grader, Joshua Anderson said, “It tells you like, if you have a healthy heart rate and if you don’t, if you need to speed up, so your heart rate can be better.“

And these kids already know the benefits of exercise.

Fifth Grader, Caroline Burns, said, “Because that way you won’t get sick or anything.“

Christy Swaid is CEO and Founder of HEAL.  Swaid’s program doesn’t focus on weight loss - but lifelong healthy living lessons for students and their families.

HEAL CEO & Founder, Christy Swaid said “So we’re looking for internally than externally.  The external is a distant benefit that we do not put any focus on.  We just want them to be healthy from the inside out.“

Because the message is a success - now UAB resarchers are seeking funding to spread this program in other elementary schools - teaching the value of a healthy lifestyle.