Learning healthy lifestyles is the focus of the Louisiana Body Walk, a traveling exhibit that visits elementary schools throughout Louisiana.  More than 800 school children in St. John Parish have learned how to make healthy choices and remain healthy through participation in the Louisiana Body Walk traveling exhibit.

The Louisiana Body Walk is one of three components of Smart Bodies, a comprehensive health program that  provides nutrition education and promotes increased physical activity. The Smart Bodies Program is in its fourth year and continues to travel to schools statewide through a joint effort by the LSU AgCenter and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation.

"Body Walk is a wonderful way for students to have fun learning about health, nutrition and physical activity," said Cynthia Clifton.

The Body Walk features tour of the body including the brain, mouth, stomach, small intestine, heart, lungs, bones, muscles and skin.

"What's great is that the kids are actively involved in learning about good nutrition and making healthful lifestyle choices, said Clifton. "We appreciate the support of our school volunteers and the community organizations that assisted with the exhibit and made the Body Walk and the overall Smart Bodies Program possible."

The Smart Bodies Program was developed to address increasing national concerns about the lack of physical activity and the declining nutritional status of young children. In Louisiana, childhood obesity has doubled in the past 20 years, and almost one in three school-aged children is overweight or obese.

For information on the Smart Bodies Program and the Louisiana Body Walk, contact Cynthia Clifton at your parish LSU AgCenter Extension Office at 985-497-3261, or visit Smart Bodies Web site at www.smartbodies.org.