News

Different ways to prevent obesity in teens was among the information presented Wednesday at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Health and Career Fair designed for the East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS). 

“We want to bring awareness to the students about healthy BMI (body mass index),” said Abigail Wooley, SIUE nursing student. “If they have problems when they’re younger, it will lead to adulthood. We want them to make lifestyle changes now.” 

The health and career fair was organized by the SIUE School of Nursing students in the Care of Populations course and the SIUE We Care Clinic and held at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. The nursing students are seniors who are scheduled to graduate from SIUE in May. 

“It’s been interesting,” said 15-year-old Katherine Miles, a CHS sophomore. “I am aware of much of the information, but it’s good to hear it all again.” Miles says she stays in shape by playing on East St. Louis High School’s track and volleyball teams. 

The health and college fair featured the following exhibits, information and services:

• Immunizations and applications for free vaccines
• Nutritional Facts
• Obesity in the Teenage Years
• St. Louis College of Health Careers
• Mothers Against Drunk Drivers
• Planned Parenthood
• SIUE Student Nurse Achievement Program (SNAP)
• Southwestern Illinois College Health Care Careers
• Hypertension Facts and Blood Pressure Checks
• Diabetes Center

The idea for the health fair came as a result of brainstorming between Cheryl Jackson, SIUE School of Nursing instructor, and Gina Washington, CHS program director. 

“Our goal was to build a bridge between the SIUE We Care Clinic and Charter High School,” said Jackson. “We gave the students permission slips for their parents to sign so that they can receive care from the clinic.”

 “Students under the age of 18 are not able to receive treatment without signed authorization from their parents,” Jackson added.

 CHS students will profit from what they learned at the fair, said Charlotte Chance, instructor with SIUE School of Nursing. “It will also not only benefit the students, but also their family members as well.”

 Sixteen-year-old Tyler Bonner, a CHS sophomore, said he thought the Planned Parenthood information was an important aspect of the health fair.

 “Pregnancy is a serious problem for African American teens,” Bonner said. “It’s not OK to get girls pregnant. You have to think what’s best for the girl and the baby. Be responsible.”

 Some other areas of responsibility included stressing the need to watch salt and sugar intakes in order to avoid problems with hypertension and diabetes.

 “We asked students how much salt they should get a day for a healthy dose,” said Marilyn Boatman, instructor with SIUE School of Nursing. “Everyone over estimated. The majority of people use more salt than they should. You should have about one teaspoon a day.”

Photos:

Emmanuel Ezeala, SIUE School of Nursing student, takes the blood pressure of Tyler Bonner,
East St. Louis Charter High School sophomore.

CHS students listening to information presented at the Nutrition booth are (from left to right) Desar’a Whitley, Katherine Miles, Destinee Johnson and Amber Johnson. SIUE School of Nursing students (from left to right): Alyssa Bayles, Amanda Boyer and James Clancy.