CNN Presents Classroom Edition: Fat Chance

Educator Guide

Activity Suggestions:

1. Challenge students to conduct research to learn more about the likely diet and activities of prehistoric humans. What did our ancestors eat? How often did they eat? What kinds of activities were part of their daily lives? In class discussion, have students compare their information to their own daily food intake and activity. What diseases and conditions would be less common if we ate and engaged in physical activity like prehistoric humans did?

2. Have small groups of students conduct research to determine the health risks associated with poor nutrition and being overweight. Have groups share their findings. To help students become more aware of their eating habits, have each student keep a log for three days of all the food he/she eats and his/her mood prior to eating. Working in groups, have students analyze the nutritional content of their food to determine if their meals and snacks are nutritionally balanced. Have group members suggest ways to make their diets more nutritious. Refer students to their data to determine if they ate to make themselves feel better. Ask students to determine if there is a correlation between their emotional states and the quality of their diet.

Your students may want to observe CNNstudentnews.com's Body Mass Index Weight-to-Height Table (http://fyi.cnn.com/interactive/health/0207/obesity.chart/frameset.exclude.html), or they can go to http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/index.htm to calculate their Body Mass Index.

3. What are the differences between a healthy diet and a fad diet? Refer students to their texts and online resources to identify different types of diets and the components of a good weight management program. Have students share their research and write their findings on the board. Then, group students and assign each group a type of diet plan. Have each group conduct research to learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of the diet, including the potential health risks associated with the diet, and the extent to which the diet incorporates emotional, educational, behavioral, and environmental strategies to control weight gain. After each group presents its findings, ask the class to determine if the diet is a fad diet or a healthy eating plan. Ask students: Why do you think some diets are more successful than others?

4. Inform students that fast food, a main staple for many teenagers, has been linked to obesity and heart disease. As a class, generate a list of the fast food restaurants in your area. Group students and have each group select a restaurant from the list. Challenge each group to analyze the nutritional content, including the fat and caloric content, of a cross section of the restaurant's menu. Point out to students that many fast food chains post the nutritional content of their food. Students can also access fast food nutritional information here (http://www.kenkuhl.com/fastfood/fastfacts.shtml). Have each group determine which of these fast foods are better for their health, and if these foods fit in with a balanced diet.

5. Challenge students to make a list of key public heath issues, other than obesity, that exist in America today. These issues might include smoking, alcohol and substance abuse, child abuse/neglect, and AIDS. Then ask: What factors influence people's attitudes on these public heath issues? To what extent do people's attitudes influence government intervention and legislation on public health issues? What are the pros and cons of legislating public health issues? Give examples.

Then, inform students that most Americans do not recognize the severity of the obesity epidemic in the United States. A new report released by Harvard's Kennedy School of Government reveals that though "most Americans are well informed about food and nutrition, only a minority believe obesity is a "very serious" health problem.... (And that) contrary to the views of health experts, most Americans view obesity as resulting from individual failure rather than environmental or genetic sources." Ask students:

1. How does obesity compare to other health issues such as smoking, alcohol or substance abuse, or child abuse/neglect?

2. Why do you think most Americans look at obesity as a result of individual failure?

3. Should obesity be considered a public health issue? Why or why not?

Following the class discussion, instruct students to write position papers that outline their views on obesity and how the U.S. government should respond to the issue. For example, should the U.S. government regulate or tax food products; should television ads that promote unhealthy foods for children be banned; or should parents of obese children be held legally responsible if their children become obese? Have students share their papers with the class and discuss.

Keywords:

• Obesity

• Fad diets

• Cravings

• Genetics

• Fat

• Body Mass Index

Related Sites:

Centers for Disease Control: Overweight and Obesity (http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/index.htm)

NIH: Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/ob_home.htm)

NIH: Obesity Education Initiative (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/prctgd_c.pdf)

The New York Obesity Research Center (http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/obesectr/NYORC/)

Obesity: James Hill (http://www.usatoday.com/community/chat/0616hill.htm)

Report: Public Opinion and the Politics of America's Obesity Epidemic (http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/press/obesity_study_052802.htm)

Shape Up America (http://www.shapeup.org/)

American Heart Association (http://www.americanheart.org/)

American Dietetic Association (http://www.eatright.org/)

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html)

The Food Guide Pyramid (http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/pyramid.html)

Calorie Control Council (http://www.caloriecontrol.org/)

Nutrition Resources on the Internet (http://www.prohealthconnection.com)

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