Judy Eberhardt's New Book
Online, December 6, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Adolescents with bogus ideas about what being "healthy" means or kids who have problems managing their weight issues, as well as concerned parents, teachers and health-care professionals might want to sink their teeth into author Judy Eberhardt's book Shape Up or bite me! "SWALK" Lessons from Six Teens in Health Class. Clinical Advisor: Amanda Stein, MS RD. Especially since the 2013 projected average cost of obesity-related health care in the US, per adult, is between $764 and $378.
"With Michelle Obama's campaign Let's Move and such depressing future statistics, now more than ever I believe society will be looking for ways to reach out to the next generation about eating better," said Eberhardt. Unlike most books on the subject, Shape Up or bite me! is a humorous illustrated novella, written from a teens-eye-view, that is packed with enough witty dialogue and important health facts to levitate even the most reluctant sofa spud. As a timely motivational tool, it encourages kids to make better food choices, exercise and develop a different attitude about their least important priority: their health.
The story introduces six culturally diverse, health-challenged teens randomly grouped together as a team at a Magnet High School. Their mission: get the student body to develop healthy habits, or, as they put it, "force them to listen to this shocking waste of time." As team "Tl," they decide to video tape a documentary picturing their own learning curve. What happens to Marvin, Connie, Darrell, Beth, Hiro and Lali during the filming is a whole lot more than they, or the class, ever expected.
This funny yet poignant teen story not only reflects some of the problems kids face today, it gently, but firmly, moves them toward a healthy life style by signaling what will happen to them as adults if they don't make smart food choices or exercise enough.
"My hope is that the book will be incorporated into middle schools and high schools as supplemental material for health and/or nutrition classes," said Eberhardt. "And judging from the initial response from academia, it would be a welcomed addition to the curriculum."