Nutrition & Health 

The best way to do this activity is to engage in the activities and answer the questions listed below. 

Engage 

Game Show

Play the nutrtrition 'Jeopardy!" Game show.  After playing report on the value of games as an "Engage" or "Evaluation" technique in the classroom.

Nutrition Related Health Issues

Check to box if you know of an individual who deals with any of the following nutrition-related issues:.

• OBESITY: Increased body fat, health risks.

• TYPE-II DIABETES: Elevated blood sugar levels, insulin resistance.

• CARDIO-VASCULAR DISEASES: Heart-related conditions, artery problems.

• FATTY LIVER DISEASES (FLD): Liver fat accumulation, metabolic impact.

• HYPERTENSION (High Blood Pressure): Elevated blood pressure, vascular strain.

• OSTEOPOROSIS: Bone density loss, fracture risk.

Obesity is a significant public health concern associated with a myriad of serious health issues. Individuals with obesity are at an increased risk of developing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and certain types of cancer. The excess body weight can lead to mechanical problems, including joint pain and osteoarthritis, while respiratory issues such as sleep apnea are also common.

• The US Centers for Disease Control has been tracking obesity trends in the United States.  Click through all 37  slides on  United States Obesity Trends, 1985–2020, and make three observations regarding trends in obesity. Record your observations below.

Type 2 diabetes, often tied to lifestyle factors, results in insulin resistance, leading to complications such as cardiovascular problems, kidney damage, nerve issues, and vision impairment. Both types require careful management, including medication, lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring to prevent severe health consequences.

• Make three observations regarding any patterns you observe between obesity and diabetes frequency in the United States from 2004-2019. 

Explore 

Nutrients - Use FoodStruct Diet Analysis tool to record the food you eat on an "average" day.  Specify the correct proportions by using the appropriate pull-down menus.  When you have entered all foods, select the "Analyze Foods" button and the "Display all Nutrients" button.

• Upload a screen capture showing the analysis of your nutrients.

• Upload a screen capture of basic nutrients

Glycemic Index - The glycemic index (GI) is a numerical scale that assigns values to carbohydrates based on their impact on blood sugar levels, with low-GI foods having values below 55, indicating a slower and more gradual rise, while high-GI foods typically have values above 70, signifying a quicker and higher spike in blood glucose. What is the glycemic index of your 1-day diet?

Fast Food / Meals prepared at home 

• Compose a lunch you typically eat at a fast food restaurant.  

• Compare this with a lunch you would prepare at home using the FoodStruct Diet Analysis tool. 

• Summarize key features on the Jamboard. 

Comparisons of Candies -

•  Use Wolfram Alpha to compare and contrast the food labels of two of your favorite candies (eg 3-Musketeers vs Snickers) or two different fast foods (eg Big Mac vs Big Carl) .  Repeat the procedure using ChatGPT.

• Juxtapose the nutrition labels on the Jamboard.

Explain

Developing a model  for dietary trends and health issues

• Review the nutrition trends from your class data.  

• Develop a model to explain why certain nutrients are found in excess in your  diet, and/or your class, class data, while others are lacking. 

Developing a diet to reduce the risk of heart disease - Watch this video - Reducing the threat of osteoporosis [9:28]

• Many physicians recommend their patients substitute polyunsaturated for saturated fats (increase unsaturated:saturated ratio), reduce sodium intake, and minimize cholesterol. Use the nutrition database to determine foods that should be minimized or eliminated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Elaborate / Extend

Nutrition infographics

• Select one of the nutrition-related problems in the USA.  

• Make an  Canva Infographic  describing  the problem.  Link your infographic to the document

Nutrition issues in the world 

• Using GapMinder observe and summarize significant nutrition-related health issues in a portion of the world of your choice.  Provide a graphic of the issue on the Jamboard.

Evaluate 

Create a Nutrition Infographic 

• • • Selected a nutrition-related health concern and create a slide in the collaborative slide show.  Make an infographic describing how one might increase ( dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium) or decrease (saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and added sugars) the item. 

    • Play a Filppity Game Show.