MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Getting kids to eat healthy doesn't have to be hard. Memphis City Schools teamed up with the Grizzlies to stress the importance of healthy living to students at Mitchell High School.
This message is one that hits home with lots of kids. According to Newsweek magazine, Memphis is the fattest city in the nation.
From 7 to 9 Thursday morning, Mitchell High School students hit the gym floor and danced a bit to Beyonce's "Move Your Body."
MCS has been trumpeting the healthy living message for a while but they say having the Grizzlies reinforce that message is a big help.
"These professional athletes did not become professional athletes by accident," said Tony Geraci, Director of Child Nutrition for MCS. "They worked hard at it, this was purposeful, they planned it; they paid attention to what they put in their bodies what goes into their bodies and what comes out of their bodies, so that's the message that we want to reinforce for our kids."
Memphis Grizzlies Strength and Conditioning Coach Kelly Lambert added, "What I'm trying to get across to even the athletes and these high school students is the fact that we need to make better choices as to what we eat and what we put in our bodies and also get up and be active, because with the Xbox and PlayStation 3 and all those things a lot of kids are being more sedentary."
Students left the assembly with fruit smoothies and a buy one ticket get one free voucher from the Grizzlies.
