LECOM Bradenton students participate in YMCA's Healthy Kids Day
Poison prevention booth an eye-opener for community
LECOM Bradenton medical students left quite an impression on parents and children at the Lakewood
Ranch YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day.
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| LECOM
first-year medical student Daniel Kim works with Alex Vehling and Frankie Vallor during the YMCA's
Healthy Kids Day in Bradenton, Fla. |
At the
LECOM poison prevention booth, medical students Min Qi and Daniel Kim demonstrated how certain
foods and drinks have striking similarities to household cleaners, chemicals and adult
medications.
“Which one do you think is safe to drink?” said Qi, holding two
cups: one with a blue sports drink and the other with blue window cleaner. “If you are not
sure if something is safe to eat or drink, always ask your parents first.”
“That is so scary,” said one parent after watching the demonstration.
Children were encouraged to use their sense of smell.
“Although they may look
the same, this cup of Pine-Sol has a much different smell to it than this cup of apple
juice,” Kim said.
Across the gym, LECOM Bradenton medical students Robby Edo and
Katherine Guthrie were doing push-ups and sit-ups with the children. The two encouraged the children
to stay active and keep away from sugary foods.
On Healthy Kids Day, YMCAs from across
the country opened their doors to nearly 800,000 children, parents and community members for an
event that celebrates healthy living, encourages families to embrace a more active lifestyle and
introduces tools and strategies for making changes as a family.