Donna Querim, RN, BS, MS, JD, Nurse Clinician for the Southcoast Hospital Group Cardiovascular Prevention Program, and Amanda Szot, Charlton Hospital dietitian, and met with sixth-graders at Talbot Middle School to teach them about cardiovascular risk factors that could lead to heart disease in adulthood. Donna outlined the process of plaque formation in artery walls, illustrating her talk with three-dimensional models of food which she passed around to the students. Amanda then talked about elements in the diet that can contribute to arteriosclerosis, suggesting many dietary choices that can effectively prevent the disease. Fall River has a 20% higher heart disease rate than the rest of the state, and much of this difference is due to the diet of local residents. This is the first program of this type in the middle school and follows the model that has been used with Sophomores in the Durfee High School health classes.
 

(Top row) Donna Querim holds a model of various stages of plaque build up in artery walls while Amanda Szot demonstrates the advantages of a plant-based diet in reducing cardiovascular disease. (Remaining photos) Students respond to the presentation with many questions. Each student is given a packet of information to take home so they can review the information with members of their family. The new FDA food pyramid is a part of what every student learns to keep their heart healthy. For further information about the program, contact Donna Querim at 508-679-7115 or by e-mail at querimd@southcoast.org.