Introduction

TEENAGE OBESITY

Richard Bollati

Walton High School

Supermarket Snacks Sold at Walton High School

Retail Store Are Unhealthy and Cause

Teenage Obesity

Introduction

For the past years, there has been a fully operational retail supermarket at Walton High School. For several years, the supermarket was a highly profitable operation where the students were proud of the selections offered to their peers. Now, due to recent concerns regarding teenage obesity and proper nutrition, the market has been forced to cease selling any item that can be considered “junk food.”

Task

You have been selected to be a shopper for the Walton Wildcat Supermarket. Using the PPA process, you have to write a report where you must either prove that school snacks currently sold at the Walton supermarket are unhealthy or acceptable. Make sure that you are able to back up your selections based on the research you have done.

Process

You will work in 3 groups of 4 or 5 students. Your groups should remain the same until project completion.

You will use the Internet and other sources to research information about nutrition and obesity.

You will be following the Public Policy Analyst to complete your project. You will follow the six steps of PPA.

Photo of students meeting with a professor..

Group #1:

Define the problem:

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/select.html

In one or two sentences, state the nature of the social problem that your group plans to study.

______________________________________________________________________________________

What is the specific community location of the social problem? Your answer should include both the governmental authority (e.g. school board, city council) and the particular geographic location (review Internet examples).

____________________________________________________________________________________

List at least three undesirable social conditions that result from this problem:

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________

Write a short phrase that summarizes the social problem and its geopolitical location.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Group #2

Gather evidence:

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/gather.html

Your problem (phrase): __________________________________________________________

Present evidence that a problem exists. Be as specific as possible and cite at least one source of data:

Group #3

Identify causes:

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/identify.html

Your problem (phrase): __________________________________________________________________________

Briefly list several underlying factors that contribute to the problem that you have identified (support these factors with evidence):

All three groups will work on step 4, 5, 6 of Public Policy using the PPA format at TIPS website. They have to evaluate the existing policy and explain why this policy needs to be changed. At the end of the process they are to develop a solution and have their report ready on the validity of their new policy. The supermarket administration will accept the most accurate and valid report which will be applied during 2004-2005 school year.

Step 4 - Evaluate a policy:

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/existing.html

Step 5 - Develop solution:

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/solutions.html

Step 6 - Select best solution:

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/bestsol.html

Resources

As public policy analysts you may use internet research. The following websites are all related to the existing problem.

www.weight-loss-i.com/obesity-weight/ teenage-obesity-causes.htm - 11k –

www.exrx.net/FatLoss/ChildObesityIntervention.html - 9k - Aug 25, 2004 –

Standard

English

English E1 – Read and comprehend informational materials

English E2 – Produce a report of information

Produce a persuasive and reflective essay

English E3 – Participate in group meetings

English E4 – Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness

English E7 – Produce functional documents appropriate to audience and purpose

Mathematics

Mathematic M5a – The student participates in the formulation of problems, statement of a problem situation; student asks and answers a series of appropriate questions in pursuit of a solution and does so with minimal “scaffolding” in the form of detailed guiding questions.

Mathematics M5c – Students provide closure to the solution process through summary statements and general conclusions with a useful summary results

Evaluation

	Excellent 90-100	Very Good 80-89	Satisfactory 65-79	Unsatisfactory Below 65
Research	Problem clearly identified and thoroughly researched	Problem identified and reasonably well researched	Problem identified	Problem identified but research is lacking
PPA	All six steps of the PPA are clearly addressed and all worksheets correctly completed	All six steps of the PPA are addressed and most worksheets correctly completed	With limited research.	Incomplete worksheets
Written Report	Well organized, demonstrates logical sequencing and sentence structure	Well organized, but demonstrates illogical sequencing or sentence structure.	Well organized, but illogical sequencing and sentence structure.	Poorly organized

Conclusion

In conclusion through researching and analyzing the data regarding junk food sold in the school supermarket, we agree that selling snacks to students is not a good solution for more profit. After analyzing the problem, you understand the positive side of the new policies on junk food which have a negative impact on teenage obesity and their health. You will also feel more comfortable in making decisions over the foods young people need to eat on a daily basis.