Standard of Learning

10.1The student will demonstrate an understanding of health concepts, behaviors, and skills that reduce health risks and enhance the health and well-being of self and others throughout life. Key concepts/skills include:

1. the impact of healthy and poor nutritional choices;
2. the effects of an active and sedentary lifestyle;
3. the effects of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, and other drug use;
4. behaviors that result in intentional and unintentional injury.

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Understanding the Standard

The student will understand the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• define sedentary lifestyle.
• describe health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. (premature death, disease/illness, mental illness, chronic diseases, unintentional injuries, etc.)
• identify the economic impact of a sedentary lifestyle in the U.S. ($79.6 billion in 2000)
• describe behaviors that lead to a sedentary lifestyle.
• list strategies for developing an active lifestyle.
• list the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of exercise.

Sample Lessons

BAM! Body and Mind> Teachers' Corner> Active or Not Here it Comes!
The goal of this section is to expand students understanding of physical activity beyond organized sports. By extending their view of physical activity, students will recognize that organized sports (e.g., playing on the football or soccer team), less competitive or personal fitness activities (e.g., swimming with friends or weight training), lifetime sports (e.g., golfing or walking), and some everyday activities (e.g., walking their dog, dancing to their favorite song, or mowing the lawn) are all forms of physical activity. As student's understanding grows, they will determine that they already participate in physical activities to some extent and gain confidence to expand upon their activities.
Sponsor: Center for Disease Control
http://www.bam.gov/teachers/activities/active_or_not.htm
Free

Discovery Education: "Eating Disorders: When Food Becomes an Enemy"
Grade(s): 9-12
Students in this lesson will understand the complexity of eating disorders and their possible causes.  Along with starting to understand these disorders, they will also learn to recognize the identifiable symptoms of the most prevalent eating disorders.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/eatingdisorders/
Free

Discovery Education: "Overcoming Eating Disorders"
Grade(s): 9-12
In this lesson, students will learn about two common eating disorders and compare the two.  While learning about these eating disorders, students will then also consider their own body image.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/overcomingdisorders/
Free

Fast Fats: A Nutritional Analysis of America's Obsession with Fast Foods
Grade(s): 10-12
In this three part lesson, students will examine nutrition labels for caloric intake using various snack foods. Then, they will determine the number of calories in a food item. Finally, they will conduct a research project in which they examine the food choices of their classmates.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/health/nutrition.html
Free

Motivating Youth to Get More Exercise
Grades 9-12
Discusses consequences of being overweight. Develop strategies to be more physically active.
Sponsor: PBS - NOW with Bill Moyers
Two-four class periods
http://www.pbs.org/now/printable/classroom_verb_print.html
Free

New Moves
Grades 9-12
*Evaluated program
Targets females to increase healthy eating and physical activity. Places emphasis on feeling good about the self. Provides nutrition guidance, non-competitive physical activity, and social support.
Sponsor: University of Minnesota
E-mail: neumark@epi.umn.edu

Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles: BENEFITS OF LIVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Grade(s): 9-12
Students will identity the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle: proper nutrition, balancing caloric intake with energy output, and the role of exercise.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=1156
Free

Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles: SPECIFIC ILLNESSES THAT ARE DIET RELATED
Grade(s): 9-12
Students will identify specific illnesses that are diet related: anemia, osteoporosis, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and eating disorders.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=1155
Free

Sports Nutrition for Adolescents
Grades 9-12
Promotes healthful nutrition to students participating in school or community-based athletics.
--Sports Drinks
--Sports Bars and Energy Foods
--Sports Diet
--Protein Power
--Recovery Carbs
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Department of Education
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/food_nutrition

Additional Instructional Resources

• American Cancer Society - "Generation Fit" - E-mail: rita.w.miller@cancer.org
• American College of Sports Medicine - http://www.acsm.org
• American Council on Fitness - http://www.acefitness.org
• Local Fitness Center Personnel
• Poor Nutrition and Sedentary Lifestyle - http://www.sdchip.org/pdfs/G-nutrition%20edited.pdf
• Tips to Avoid a Sedentary Lifestyle - http://www.applesforhealth.com/sedenlife1.html

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• interview five peers and five adults and compare their activity levels at the present time to three years ago and as a child, respectively. What conclusions, if any, can be drawn?
• compare and contrast activity levels based on age, economic status, and geographic setting.
• compare and contrast activity levels of teenagers today with those of their parents and grandparent's generations.
• explain how a sedentary lifestyle can be hazardous to one's health.
• keep a daily log of how much television they watch, time on the computer, etc. In the same log, record activity levels. Determine necessary changes to improve health.
• design a brochure entitled, "Tips to Avoid a Sedentary Lifestyle."

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