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The Magical Ingredient
FAT
by Shannon Kelly Smith
University of Idaho
Grade: 9-12
Time Allotment: One
50 minute Class
Subject Matter: Family
Consumer Sciences Foods and Nutrition
Overview:
The American population is the most overweight
nation in the world. What are the reasons causing us to become overweight?
In this lesson students will explore healthy lifestyle choices. How
to reduce the amount of fat in their own diets and looks at alternative
ways of eating. Students will be exposed to the idea of introducing
exercise into their lifestyle, not only for now but for their lifetime.
After the introductory questions about how many students have been
on a diet, or who may be on a diet at the present time, students will
view a clip from the PBS FRONTLINE series. The series segment that
the students will be watching is fitted FAT. "Despite the appeals of
the multi billion dollar diet and exercise industries, the United States
is getting fatter. The media bombards us with images of thin models
exuding the message that to be thin is to be beautiful. But for many
of us, being thin is a difficult, if not impossible, achievement. This
program examines how the diet industry is contributing to our frustration
over unwanted pounds and asks if one can be healthy, fit, beautiful
and fat."
Learning Objectives:
Students will be able to:
- Identify the part fat plays in their diets
- To determine if they live in a food toxic environment.
- Develop a plan to implement exercise into their diets.
Standards:
National
Standard for Family and Consumer Sciences
Nutrition and Wellness
Comprehensive Standard
- 14.0 Demonstrate nutrition and wellness practices that enhance
individual and family well being
- 14.1 Analyze factors that influence nutrition and wellness
practices across the life span
- 14.2 Evaluate the nutritional needs of individuals and families
in relation to health and wellness across the life span
- 14.3 Demonstrate ability of acquire, handle and use foods
to met nutrition and wellness needs of individuals and families across
the life span. nd immigration of people in the development of the
United States.
Media Components :
Video:
FAT PBS FRONTLINE Series
Materials:
1 Video Work Sheet Per Student
Prep For Teachers
Prior to teaching this lesson teachers would need to review
the videotape and become familiar with the worksheet. Instructors may
want to think about some of the answers they may get to the questions
that are posed.
Introductory Activities
Step 1:
Pose the following questions to your students.
How many of you have ever been on a diet?
How many of you are currently on a diet?
Why are you on a diet?
Are you on a diet because you feel you are not thin enough?
Are you comfortable with your bodies?
Have they ever thought that some people will never be able to achieve the ultra
thinness that we see on models?
Step 2:
Open up discussion with each question. Some students maybe uncomfortable with
the questions you are posing. Try to find out what motives students to
be on a diet. Some of the answers that you get may shock you. Children
as young as 7 8 years old have started dieting, so when they get older
they will be thin. Try to work into the conversation that most people will
never be as thin as the models we see on TV. Helping students realize that
they can be comfortable with their bodies is something that they may not
of hear before. Helping students acquire healthy eating habits that includes
exercise is the goal of this lesson
Step 3:
Pre introduction to the video.
Learning Activities
Step 1:
PLAY the Video. STOP the TAPE AT THE END OF THE CHINESE
CHILDREN EXERCISING. Approximately 17 minutes.
Step 2:
Hand out the video worksheet. Explain again to students that you want them
to put some thought into their answers.
Step 3:
Give the students ample time to complete the worksheet. After the students
have completed the worksheet open up discussion of the questions.
Step 4:
Discussion of the questions on the worksheet.
Discuss each question with your students. Look for answers to the questions
where students have put higher thinking skills into play. Use the questions
as a springboard for other questions, or ways to implement more information
into the topic..
Culminating Activity
Close the lesson by having the students think about the food choices they
have made over the last 24 hours. Are they living in a Food Toxic Environment,
or are the students making healthy choices in their diets? Are the students
planning regular exercise into their daily activities? Have students record
for a week what they consume and graph according to FDA guidelines for
a healthy diet.
Extensions
Science: Have students put together a Power
Point presentation on the effects of large amounts of Fat in the American
Diet, and what steps can be taking to live a healthy lifestyle.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS:
- Invite a Registered Dietitian in to the classroom
to speak on the American Diet, and what steps can be taken to live a
healthier live style.
- Visit a local restaurant to see if they are
taking steps to have lower fat items on the menu.
- Invite a Personal Trainer, or an Exercise Expert
in to the classroom to speak on how to exercise to stay fit.
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