March is National Nutrition Month. Each year, more adults and even children are suffering from obesity and its corollary--Diabetes. Each year, millions of Americans make New Year resolutions to lose weight.
Everywhere you look, there are so-called new-and-improved ways to lose weight. Americans spend $33 billion annually on weight loss foods, products, and services, according to the American Dietetic Association.
With that amount of spending, it is no surprise that there are an overwhelming number of "fad" diets and other weight-loss products on the market.
Even the simplest traditional advice for weight loss fails to provide the permanent results that people with weight problems seek.
A calorie is a calorie. Eat too many... gain weight. Eat fewer calories... lose weight. Not so complicated, right?
Wrong, weight loss is more than a calorie equation as scientists and health professional are discovering each year.
Learning Activity
Assign students a report of at least 100 words or an oral/PowerPoint report of at least two minutes and five slides.
Students should cite at least three resources and address the following examples of essential questions for critical thinking listed below (you can add or substitute others):
How does exercise play a part in a health weight loss program?
Why don't most popular diets work in the long term?
What types of foods should be included in a healthy diet and why?
What type of foods should be avoided in a healthy diet and why?
