OBESITY/NUTRITION

By: Loren Larson

Grade/Subject: 6th grade Health

Duration: 90 Minutes: 45 minutes will be spent on the lesson and note taking – 15 minutes will
be spent allowing the students to discuss/share their notes with a partner – 30 minutes will be
spent allowing the students to work in groups to complete the food pyramid activity
Materials:
Food pyramid
Food cutouts
Notes sheet
PowerPoint presentation
Lesson/Objectives:
The students will be able to:

 Explain what obesity is

 Explain what they believe is a cause of obesity
 Explain two ways that people can use to help prevent/fight obesity
 Explain general portion sizes/daily intake for each food group
 Sort out foods based on food groups
 List three potential negative consequences of obesity
Standards:
Health standard 1: students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease
prevention to enhance health.
Health standard 2: students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media,
technology, and other factors on health behaviors.
Health standard 3: students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information and
products and services to enhance health.
Health standard 4: students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication
skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
Lesson:
I will present a lesson to students about obesity and nutrition. I will cover facts such as
the rise in obesity and statistics about obesity (obesity has tripled in the last 30 years/one in
five children (17% of children in the US) is overweight). I will also cover side effects that come
from being overweight (depressive symptoms, poor body image, early puberty, type 2 diabetes,
etc.) and contributors (food choice, eating patterns, physical activity habits, etc.). I will go on to
explain the food pyramid and give students tips about being healthier (eat from a variety of
food groups, be more active, drink less sugary drinks and more water, etc.).
Whole Group Engagement:
Students will take notes on what they believe is important during a lesson about obesity and
nutrition.
After the lesson students will get together with a partner and discuss what they took for notes.
If students have different notes than their partner they should exchange information so that
they can expand their written knowledge about the lesson.
Activity:
1. Give a short introduction and explanation about the food pyramid activity
2. Place students in groups of four to fill in and complete a blank food pyramid (see blank
worksheet on last page).
a. Encourage students to use their notes and memory to complete the food
pyramid to the best of their ability. Students should be as detailed as they can.
b. Have students sort out the food cutouts and glue them under the appropriate
category on the food pyramid.
Guided Questions:
What negative consequences may a person who is obese experience?

 Depression, diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, early puberty, hypertension, poor body
image, eating disorders, etc.
What may contribute to obesity?

 Food choices, parental obesity, lack of physical activity, demographics, etc.

How can a person prevent/fight obesity?

 Physical activity, monitor food/calorie intake, find a positive role model, substitute low-
fat or nonfat items when possible, find someone to encourage you/hold you
accountable, replace fried food with baked/grilled food, etc.
Resources:
http://www.obesity.org/obesity/resources/facts-about-obesity/childhood-overweight
Name: _________________________ Date: ___________________
1. Fill in each area of the pyramid with the correct food category.
2. Color the food pyramid and food items around the pyramid.
3. Cut out the food items and glue them under the appropriate category on the pyramid.