Students at Southeast Lauderdale Elementary School will learn to rap and rhyme the values of healthy eating and exercise when puppet sensation Ed Said makes a stop on Friday.

    Southeast Lauderdale is the last of several school stops statewide for Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s (MPB) newest star, Ed Said, on his “Moving with Fruits and Vegetables Tour.”

    Hoping to promote the concepts of healthy eating and exercise for fun, MPB developed “Ed Said,” a web-based program about a rapping and rhyming puppet who motivates his friends to eat well and get up and move.

    “When you eat healthy, you feel so much better inside, you know? And you’re able to do more exercise; you’re able to play, and run and rap with your friends some more,” said Ed, who is brought to life by MPB staffer Keri Horne.

    According to the Center for Mississippi Health Policy, “Mississippi has one of the highest rates of childhood obesity in the United States.” Mississippians are also susceptible to many of the risks and consequences of obesity, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression and negative self image.

    “MPB has a huge initiative to promote a healthy lifestyle among Mississippians, and part of that initiative is Ed, who reaches out to kids,’ said Mary Irby, MPB’s director of communications.

    In the series, Ed hangs out on the school playground, where he creates songs to share his health knowledge with his playground friends – the Lunch Bunch. The Lunch Bunch is inspired by Ed’s songs and creates exercises or “dances” to them.

    The first 10-part series, “Moving with Fruits and Vegetables,” focuses on educating children about 10 different fruits and vegetables. Ed Said uses his rhyming skills to incorporate fruit and vegetable facts into songs that children can enjoy.

    Southeast Elementary students will not only see a live Ed Said puppet show, but also participate in activities and receive Ed Said giveaways.

    “He will be rapping and singing about bananas, potatoes, grapes and strawberries, and all the kids will get up and dance and join him,” Irby said.

    EdSaid.org is Ed’s home base. There, children have access to Ed’s webisodes and music video animations and can download them to their computers, smart phones and iPods.

    “When kids go to the Website they can play games, sing and dance, and parents can get tips how to introduce healthy eating and exercise to their children,” Irby said.

    There is also a section on the Website where educators can access curriculum specifically tailored to Ed Said’s healthy living message.

    “Many schools already have wellness programs and Ed dovetails, perfectly with those programs,” Irby said.