Written by Brandy Centolanza
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“Through the Eyes of the Eagle” examines the connection between a healthy lifestyle and preventing diabetes
[dropcap]A new exhibit opening this month at the Virginia Living Museum aims to educate children about the importance of healthy living and diabetes prevention.[/dropcap]The traveling exhibit, “Through the Eyes of the Eagle: Illustrating Healthy Living for Children,” features Native American watercolor paintings, stories and a video with animal characters that demonstrate the value of healthy eating, physical activity and diabetes prevention. The books were developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Native Diabetes Wellness Program in collaboration with the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee. There is a high incidence of diabetes among Native Americans, with roughly 14 percent of adults diagnosed with the disease, according to 2009 data.
“Diabetes is [also] an issue affecting our region,” says Page Hayhurst, executive director for the Virginia Living Museum. “The museum is looking to add more human health exhibits because there is
such a connection between animals and human health—animals get diabetes too—and because we want to expand our science programming.”
In Virginia, nearly nine percent of adults were living with diabetes in 2010. The CDC reported in 2011 that 215,000 children were diagnosed with diabetes, with more than 4,800 in Virginia.
Eastern Virginia Medical School will offer health screenings for adults to coincide with the exhibit’s Feb. 23 opening. The screenings will cover blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c. Additional screenings are planned, although dates have not yet been set.
The exhibit includes an exercise video that shows children how to make exercise fun, as well as an area where they can actively imitate movements of various animals and birds. “Who wouldn’t want to flap like an eagle?” Hayhurst asks.
In another interactive area, kids can role play and make food choices that reinforce the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “What’s On Your Plate?” healthy eating initiative. For older children, there are computer games designed to encourage good nutrition.
Christine Lewis, education director for the Virginia Living Museum, hopes the new exhibit will have an impact on visitors of all ages, although it is geared toward children.
“Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in the U.S., and the incidence of childhood diabetes is much too high,” she says. “When kids are not in school, they spend hours watching TV, where they are bombarded every day with commercials that promote poor food choices. Even when they are not watching TV, children are more sedentary than ever. Playing outside has become a thing of the past. We hope this exhibit will encourage families to learn together how to make healthier food and lifestyle choices.”
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“Through the Eyes of the Eagle: Illustrating Healthy Living for Children” runs February 23 through April 28 at the Virginia Living Museum. EVMS will offer health screenings on opening day, Saturday, February. 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. The Virginia Living Museum is located at 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard in Newport News. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $17 for adults and $13 for children. For more information, visit thevlm.org.