Lets Talk: Diet, Diabetes and Obesity

New draft Experiences and Outcomes
Life & Cells - Keeping my body healthy
Early Level - Through my daily routine and play I am developing an understanding of how to keep my body healthy, its different parts and the changes that will occur as I grow. SCN 009M
Second Level - Having researched common problems relating to bones, muscles, eyes and ears, I can make informed decisions to allow me to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. SCN 225M
Energy in the Environment - Energy in food
Early Level - I have had the opportunity to taste and enjoy a range of healthy foods and can talk about how I need food to help me grow. SCN 009M
Topical Science
Second Level - I can report and comment on a current scientific news item to develop my awareness of topical science. SCN 236BB

See also Draft Experiences and Outcomes in :-
Nutrition
Level Early - Together we enjoy the handling, tasting, talking and learning about different foods, discovering ways in which eating and drinking may help us to grow and keep healthy. HWB 009L
Level First - By investigating the range of foods available in my place of learning, I can discuss which can contribute to a healthy diet. HWB 112L
Level First - I am developing a sense of enjoyment and achievement when creating simple, healthy foods and drinks. HWB 113M
Level Second - I can apply knowledge and understanding of:

• current healthy eating advice

• how a balanced diet contributes to a healthier lifestyle

• to contribute to a healthy eating plan for my place of learning. HWB 212L

 and Physical Education, physical activity and sport
Level Early - I can describe how I feel after taking part in energetic activities and I am becoming aware of some of the changes that take place in my body. HWB 008K
Level First - I can use my experience of daily physical activity to explain that the energy for activity comes form the food I eat and that healthy choices and positive experiences can protect my health and wellbeing. HWB 111K 

Healthy Eating and the obesity crisis

With the increasing levels of obesity in the UK and other developed countries there has been more interest shown in looking at changes to diet and other strategies to try to prevent weight gain.

Research appears to show that there are a number of dietary factors and aspects of eating behaviour that either promote or protect against obesity. One of the areas that appear to need attention is portion size.

The following activities explore these issues. Before you look at the activities we should help clear up the issues surrounding the word ‘calories’. When you look at the Nutrition Information on foods or in food magazines you will see kJ (kilojoules) and kcal (kilocalories). So to sum up:

1 kcal = 1000 calories = 1 Calorie
(Calories, with a capital C, quoted in nutrition are 1000 calories – wee c)
4.2 J = 1 calorie
4.2 kJ = 1 kcal = 1 Calorie

Here are some facts about changes in portion sizes in the United States over the years:

• Pizzas were 25 cm in diameter in the 1970s; today they’re sometimes 45 cm in diameter.
• Today’s Hershey chocolate bar is almost three times heavier compared to when it was first introduced.
• A bowl of cooked pasta in 1960 was 170 g; today it’s approximately 330 g.
• Between 1984 and 1987, the chocolate chip cookie recipe on the Nestle chocolate chip bag changed the number of cookies made per batch from 100 to 60, but didn’t actually change the recipe.
• In 2004, Carl’s Junior made the “Double $6 Burger” which is a 454 g hamburger and contains 1,400 Calories.
• Starbucks doesn’t sell the 227 cm³ drink any more, only 340 cm³, 455 cm³, and 568 cm³ sizes.
• Even Weight Watchers and Lean Cuisine, companies that specifically target people trying to cut Calories, have increased their portion sizes in their frozen foods by about 100 Calories.

Working in groups of about four or five, each pupil could choose one of the facts and explain what effect this would have on obesity back to the group. They could look at what the increase in kilocalories might be in this bigger pizza or and how much weight would a person gain by eating e.g. 100 Calories extra per day, in one year?  Using the Internet they could find out if the same or similar facts apply to the UK. Can the group suggest any solutions to the problems? Wikipedia provides some very interesting information on some of the favourite brands of chocolate and pupils could investigate the validity of some of the claims presented.

Lets Talk: Diet, Diabetes and Obesity

This resource is under development and is being trialled in schools. It contains activities to encourage young people to explore scientific health issues. For more information on this new resource please contact:  lets.talk@btinternet.com
 

An activity to explore portion size