Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Nov 30/01) - Some students at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school were given food for thought last week.

Two representatives from the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Board put on a presentation for Marlene Hynes' kindergarten class.

Regional diabetes co-ordinator Sue Clarkson and regional nutritionist Eileen Kabaroff spoke on the importance of proper nutrition, with one reason being that it can help prevent diabetes.

Kabaroff held up a rather pale caterpillar, which the class promptly dubbed Hodog. This caterpillar gradually became more colourful as it shifted its diet from junk food to items like blueberries, milk, oranges, bananas and cheese.

Clarkson had students don a large glove and try to pick up an object from off the floor, to demonstrate how diabetes can make simple tasks more difficult. Clarkson and Kabaroff spoke to Grade 4 students last week as well.

"We're doing it now for National Diabetes Month," Clarkson explained. "When we travel to the communities, Eileen goes in and talks to different school grades, and I've gone with her on some trips to communities, just to bring about awareness and get people thinking."