Obesity Epidemic in Children
Maria Panagiotakis
mpanagiotakis2@schools.nyc.gov
Q300
Introduction:
Child Obesity has been on the rise and is a growing
concern for our children. Former U.S. Surgeon General, Richard Carmona
stated that “Obesity is the second leading cause of death, killing 300,000
people a year.” Why does the obesity epidemic continue to grow and how
can we prevent/fight the obesity epidemic?
Tasks:
After voting for your project choice, students
will be placed into groups of 5-6 students. With
your group, you will use the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) model to research the
effects of obesity on children, the causes of obesity, and propose possible
solutions to fight the obesity epidemic. Your group will have a choice to
display your project through a poster or mobile.
Process/Resources:
The 6 Steps of the Public Policy Analyst (PPA)
4.
Evaluate
an Existing Policy
6.
Select
the Best Solution (Feasibility
vs. Effectiveness)
Directions: You will work in groups of 4-5 to read, analyze, and learn about the obesity epidemic in children and the possible ways to prevent/fight obesity.
Step 1: Define the Problem: What is obesity?
With your group members watch the video below and discuss what obesity is. Take notes to use for your project and complete the handout.
Video on childhood obesity
Step 2: Gathering Evidence of the Problem
Read the article closely using our close reading strategies. Create a circle map to highlight the evidence causing obesity.
Article on childhood obesity causes.
Step 3: Identify the Causes
Why is obesity in children continuing to grow? Watch the video below to address the causes of childhood obesity. Discuss the video with your group and complete the handout.
Step 4: Evaluate an Existing Policy
Lets Move - https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/
NYC Move to Improve - https://vimeo.com/226357457
Compare and contrast the various policies on obesity for children. Are they working/effective? Create a double bubble map to compare and contrast.
Step 5: Develop Policy Solutions
How can you prevent/fight the obesity epidemic?
https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/obesity/prevention_activities/
With your group create a poster project or a mobile project.
Remember to answer the following:
1.
What is
obesity?
2.
How is
obesity caused?
3.
What are possible solutions to prevent/fight obesity?
Additional Resources:
https://www.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_solutions_to_obesity
https://www.verywellhealth.com/obesity-4014682
http://www.obesitypreventionfoundation.org/solutions.shtml
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/index.html
https://www.webmd.com/children/guide/obesity-children#1
Project Materials:
All supplies and materials needed to complete the projects can be found in the arts and craft center. If you would like to use additional supplies that are not available you may bring items from home. Hangers are the only items that must be brought from home if your group is choosing to create the mobile project.
Evaluation
Rubric for Poster Project
Rubric for Mobile Project
Conclusion
By the end of this task, you will be knowledgeable on the obesity epidemic affecting children and how to make responsible and healthy choices to prevent/fight obesity.
Standards
Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.
Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.
Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).
With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.
Recall
information from experiences or gather information from print and digital
sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided
categories.