The topic of childhood obesity and hunger will be brought to Grace Hall this month. This is a significant topic about how both issues are related and what the community can do to progress after the discussion is held.
Dr. Maria Elena Hallion, associate professor of the exercise science and health promotion department, put together a symposium with the help of others. The symposium will be held in Grace Hall on Friday, Feb. 20, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration will be until Feb.13 or until seats are filled.
Back in 2011, Hallion did a sabbatical at DuPont children’s weight management clinic. Her experiences there inspired her to start a ECG 300 course called “Let’s Feed Kids Well.” The course is about childhood obesity and looking at it from a social justice point of view.
“A women from DuPont came to two of my classes and loved looking at the topic from that perspective. She then came to my office and said what are we going to do to have a bigger conversation so from that we came up with the idea of a symposium,” said Hallion.
The symposium will consist of a lunch discussion, panel, food demonstrations, innovation stations and a lunch discussion. “The menu will be aligned with the mission of the program which are healthy economical food,” said Hallion
The speakers of the event will be $40 for general admissions and $20 for student admissions. Although the event is targets to graduate student who master in social work, public policy, nutrition and education, undergraduates are welcomes as well. The Wolfington center will have funds for a few students who are really interested in going to the event but can not financially.
With the contribution of the Wolfington center specifically interim director Tom Southard, communication department chair Dr. Jerry Zurek along with Professor Catherine E. Yungmann and her senior capstone class, marketing and communications department, Sodexo, and facilities this event will be able to happen.
For more information on the event go to cabrini.edu/news-and-events.
