Online Companion: Health, Safety and Nutrition for the ...



Online Companion: Health, Safety and Nutrition, for the Young Child, 7E

Web Activities

Unit 1: Physical Activity, Diet, and Obesity

Good nutrition and fitness are essential for children's healthy growth and development. A search on the Internet reveals considerable information about these topics, as well as their relationship to obesity. Family eating habits and lifestyles are factors known to contribute to an alarming increase in child obesity. Informed families and early childhood educators can play an important role in helping children establish the type of lifelong habits that promote healthy eating and physical activity.

A. Conduct an Internet search, locating at least four reliable sites that address nutrition and physical activity for young children.

• Review, compare, and contrast the information provided on each site. Does the information appear to be accurate? Is it developmentally appropriate? Does any of the information appear to be potentially harmful to young children?

• Identify and discuss several factors discussed in the research literature that may be contributing to child obesity.

• Based on the information you have located, what recommendations would you have regarding the prevention and treatment of child obesity?

• Is it considered safe to cause weight loss by reducing caloric intake without also increasing a child's exercise level? Explain.

• Would it be reasonable to recommend weight reduction by increasing a child's level of physical activity without paying attention to food intake?

• What are some possible negative health effects associated with following either of the treatment approaches suggested above?

B. New pediatric growth charts were introduced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in May 2000, including new percentile charts for evaluating body mass index (BMI) in children 2 to 20 years. This measure provides a more accurate assessment of children's growth, amount of body fat, and overall lifestyle behaviors. Locate and review the charts and explanations for their usage at the CDC Web site: and .

• Obtain the height and weight measurements of at least 10 children between the ages of three and eight. Use the information to calculate their BMI. Plot the data on the Growth and BMI Charts for Boys and Girls located in Appendix B in your textbook.

C. Discuss several long-term health risks associated with child and adult obesity.

• How do they differ (for children and adults)?

• What is the long-term association between childhood and adulthood obesity?

• Why is it important to monitor children's BMI and help them adapt healthy lifestyles?

• What are the economic implications of obesity for a nation?

D. Adults serve as important role models for children, especially when it comes to eating and activity behaviors. Evaluate your personal energy balance. Using the calculator, "My Pyramid Tracker" provided on the Food Guide Pyramid Web site (), record your food intake and physical activity for several days.

• How would you describe the relationship between the total calories you typically consume and burn? Now, compare your diet and physical activity patterns to the recommendations outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (). What changes might you make to improve your overall health?

E. Continue to expand your understanding of the critical relationship that exists between physical activity, diet, and childhood obesity. Explore the information available on this topic at several reputable Web sites, including:

• Weight-control Information Network:

• American Dietetic Association:

• Kids Health for Parents:

• Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion:

• PE Central:

F. Compile a list of at least ten physical activities that children would find enjoyable and could engage in on a regular basis.

G. Describe several ways that teachers could build more physical activity into children’s daily classroom routines.

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