Obesity Epidemic
This material was originally developed through
Merlot as part of its collaboration with the SERC Pedagogic Service.
Initial Publication Date: August 28, 2009
Summary
A one page activity that takes students to several websites related to the obesity epidemic. First they can calculate BMI, then learn about national trends in the rate of obesity and finally use a tutorial on insulin and diabetes.
CollapseLearning Goals
To help students see the link between diet, obesity and diabetes. To do this they need to be able to combine information from several different sites and answer specific questions.
Context for Use
Out of class review, either after the concepts were introduced in class, or as a stand alone assignment.
Teaching Materials
The details and links are in the attached file. This is a simple, one page activity that provides links and questions to guide students through our current understanding of the link between the obsesity epidemic and diabetes.
Obesity Epidemic (Microsoft Word 33kB Jun26 09)
Obesity Quiz (Microsoft Word 35kB Aug28 09)
Teaching Notes and Tips
We use this after discussing metabolism as a way for students to see the link between the basic biochemical pathways and a concrete example that will affect their lives. The students are then given an online quiz to test the comprehension of the questions asked in the activity.
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Assessment
We use online quiz questions to assess student understanding of the materials in the activity. You could also have the students turn in their sheets for grading if you have a smaller class.
