Children at the Frank M. Silvia Elementary School got a chance to learn how their bodies work and a whole lot more thanks to a presentation by John Burstein (a.k.a. "Slim Goodbody") on November 4, 2009, sponsored by the Fall River Children In Balance (CIB) program. In a body stocking painted with designs of the his internal organs, Burstein invites youngsters to look inside and see what goes on in their bodies, particularly when it comes to what they eat. His character exploded on PBS with his first television series, The Inside Story, and he now hosts the amazing National Bodyology Tour and now dozens of new characters enhance the full K-8 school curriculum. "The children really learned a lot about which foods are better to eat and even how commercial marketers try to get children to buy food that are not good for them from a nutritional standpoint," stated CIB project manager Marcia Picard. Much of what Burstein presented at the two school assemblies is also taught in the Healthy Activity Active Time (HEAT) Clubs that are are run in the classrooms by the University of Massachusetts Extension Nutrition Education Program and in twelve after-school programs. For further information about the project, contact Project Manager Marcia Picard at 508-324-2228.

(Top row, left and center) John Burstein (a.k.a. "Slim Goodbody") acts out how various parts of the body, including the pancreas and red blood cells, react to the things that children eat. (Middle row, left) ______________, _______________ and Children In Balance project director Marcia Picard listen to the presentation. (Middle row, right) Burstein wears a "muscle shirt" as he ask children how they get exercise. (Bottom row, left) Burstein  describes how cereal manufacturers influence children to by their products even when they have very little nutritional value. (Bottom row, right) The program ends with everyone on their feet getting some good, heart-healthy exercise by running in place.