The Supersized Generation: Kids and Obesity

The dangers of obesity are well documented: diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, cancer and even death. Obesity has been a problem for adults for many years, but now children are becoming increasingly obese. More and more children are significantly overweight and at risk for suffering adverse physical effects. They are also subject to the psychological effects of obesity such as low self-esteem and self worth. Why are children today more at risk for obesity than ever before? How does our society and lifestyles contribute to this danger? What can be done to stop this trend? What will be the costs in human pain and suffering and financial stress on the healthcare system in the near future? Investigative Reports explores childhood obesity and these questions.

The Supersized Generation: Kids and Obesity would be useful for classes on Nutrition, Health, Physical Education and Science. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

OBJECTIVES: Students will learn the causes and dangers of obesity. They will learn the ways in which proper weight and health can be maintained. They will also explore the role of lifestyle and culture in weight management, and the pitfalls of fast food and junk food.

• Apnea
• Controversial
• Culpable
• Culprit
• Gorge
• Lucrative
• Moderation
• Pragmatic
• Revenue
• Sedentary
• Toxic

1. What is obesity? How do you define it? What is the difference between being overweight and being obese?

2. The United States is the richest nation on earth. How does this abundance contribute to the increasing levels of childhood, and adult, obesity?

3. Obesity is dangerous. Discuss the dangers of obesity.

4. Food is one of the largest markets in America. How do food manufacturers market their products? How does this marketing contribute to obesity?

5. What does obesity do to self-esteem? How do obese children suffer psychologically?

6. Americans are very busy people. How does this busy lifestyle contribute to obesity?

7. Obesity does not affect a particular class, race or ethnicity. Discuss how obesity crosses class, race, gender and ethnicity.

8. How does the American diet contribute to obesity?

9. Everyone knows most fast foods are high in calories. Are fast foods the villains? Discuss if the fast food industry is to blame for obesity.

10. How do fast food companies market their products to kids? Is this ethical?

11. Discuss the role of television in obesity.

12. What is the relationship between physical activity and weight?

13. Most middle schools and high schools have vending machines. Should vending machines be allowed in schools? Why or why not?

14. Is our culture a toxic environment?

1. Research nutrition and proper eating habits. Create a chart illustrating what a healthy diet should be.

2. Create a poster illustrating the dangers of obesity.

3. How healthy is your diet? You might be surprised. Create a journal in which you record everything you eat for two weeks. Is your diet healthy? Are you at risk for becoming obese?

4. Go to the North Texas Hospital for Children's Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator (http://www.jacknjill.com/HC_BodyMass.asp) and calculate your BMI. Is your BMI in the healthy range? If not, how can you change this?

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Air Dates

• May 06, 2004
• September 01, 2004