It might not seem to matter to them right now, but the reality for high school students is that the lifestyle choices they make today will contribute to their health when they are older.
With that in mind, the District Stroke Program of the Niagara Health System (NHS) is partnering with an international expert to speak with high school students in Welland about making healthy lifestyle choices, with an emphasis on the importance of exercising to prevent obesity, heart attack and stroke. Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the last 25 years, and childhood obesity is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Members of the media are invited to attend a presentation by Dr. Robert Ross, a Professor at Queen’s University in Kingston and a recognized international leader in the areas of obesity, physical activity and metabolism.
Dr. Ross will speak to almost 500 students in Grades 9 to 12 at Eastdale Secondary School in Welland. The presentation will be held Tuesday, April 19, 8:35 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at the school, located at 170 Wellington Street, in Welland. This presentation is one of four Dr. Ross will be doing in conjunction with the Central South Ontario Regional Stroke Program.
“It is so important to target the younger population to motivate them to make healthier choices now to minimize the risk of developing chronic disease when they are older,” says Connie McCallum, Nurse Practitioner with the District Stroke Program, located at the Greater Niagara General Site in Niagara Falls. “Last year, we organized a similar presentation at Sir Winston Secondary School in St. Catharines, and it was very well received by the students. We are holding a similar event in Welland this year to make sure high school students across Niagara get the benefit of this important healthy lifestyle education.”
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death, disability and illness in Canada. The District Stroke Program of the Niagara Health System provides a variety of stroke-related services to thousands of patients across the region every year.
