American Diabetes Association - Oregon

The American Diabetes Association in Oregon and SW Washington is taking steps to reduce the diabetes epidemic in our community by working to instill healthy behaviors in children. Our Let’s Play Portland initiative officially launched back in September, and we are already seeing children get moving and making more informed decisions about eating healthy foods.

The Let’s Play Portland pilot initiative is working with two schools within the David Douglas School District, Menlo Park and Lincoln Park, who serve neighborhoods in East Portland. All students and teachers in these schools are following the CATCH® curriculum, which uses an easy to understand “Go – Slow – Whoa” approach to food choices so that children can easily learn what types of foods are healthy to eat all the time, and which options should be enjoyed in moderation. Students in the upper grade levels are also wearing activity trackers that measure all activity – not just steps – to help kids get moving in whatever way they prefer!

In November, Portland Trail Blazer Evan Turner visited Menlo Park to talk to the students about the importance of eating healthy and getting moving. Turner spoke to the children about his own choices when growing up, and how he used healthy foods to help him grow so that he could join the NBA. The students and teachers were thrilled at the chance to meet one of our local athletes and were inspired to continue living a healthier lifestyle.

Let’s Play Portland is just one way that the American Diabetes Association is making efforts to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. To learn more about what the Association is doing in your community and across the country, visit www.diabetes.org.