ALEX Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [HE] (8) 11 :

8.3.1) Analyze the validity of health claims made concerning health products and services.

Examples: use of herbal medicines, nutritional supplements, weight loss supplements, steroids use

In this activity, the students will do a presentation about an over-the-counter weight loss pill. They will explain how the drug will work and if the drug is safe and effective. Each group will have a given amount of time to do their presentation. A rubric, Rubric Weight Loss Pills, will be used to score their work.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [HE] (8) 11 :

8.3.1) Analyze the validity of health claims made concerning health products and services.

Examples: use of herbal medicines, nutritional supplements, weight loss supplements, steroids use

In this learning activity, students make an uninformed decision about the validity of diet pills. Then students watch an informational YouTube video describing the science behind diet pills. After watching the video and with a more informed frame of mind, students are asked would they like to change their previous decision.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [HE] (8) 11 :

8.3.1) Analyze the validity of health claims made concerning health products and services.

Examples: use of herbal medicines, nutritional supplements, weight loss supplements, steroids use

In this learning activity, students will work in groups to research weight loss pills to determine the following facts: (1) Do weight loss pills reduce appetite, reduce absorption, or increase fat burning? (2) How do they work? (3) How effective are they? (4) What side effects could happen? (5) Are there any other benefits or concerns listed? (6) What is the evidence from the research? 

The website, Healthline, has 12 popular weight loss pills. The students can use this reference as a guide to research weight loss pills, one from each category: appetite, absorption, and fat-burning.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [HE] (7) 8 :

7.2.3) Describe how the media can send mixed messages about health.

Examples: advertisements concerning tobacco, alcohol, and nutrition

[HE] (8) 11 :

8.3.1) Analyze the validity of health claims made concerning health products and services.

Examples: use of herbal medicines, nutritional supplements, weight loss supplements, steroids use

You see it all over the aisles of the grocery store…. “whole grain”, “gluten-free”, “non-GMO”. But how much weight do these health claims really carry?

That was the question my students set out to answer as they began a new project analyzing the health claims made on packaged foods.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [HE] (8) 8 :

8.2.3) Analyze the influences of technology on personal and family health.

Examples: screen time, video game addictions, activity trackers, diabetes monitor, heart monitor, fitness assessment tools

[HE] (8) 9 :

8.2.4) Explain how societal perceptions influence healthy and unhealthy behaviors.

Examples: acceptance of teenage smoking and teenage pregnancy by peers, certain communities, and cultures

[HE] (8) 11 :

8.3.1) Analyze the validity of health claims made concerning health products and services.

Examples: use of herbal medicines, nutritional supplements, weight loss supplements, steroids use

[HE] HED (9-12) 8 :

HE.2.1) Analyze the influence of external factors on health beliefs and behaviors.

a. Analyze how family, culture, school, and community influence the health practice and behaviors of individuals.

Examples: explaining how holiday celebrations and traditions such as over indulgence in eating and consuming alcohol affect health behaviors; explaining how extra-curricular activities and schedules result in over-consumption of fast food

b. Examine how peers influence healthy and unhealthy behaviors.

c. Examine how peers influence healthy and unhealthy behaviors.

Example: influence of media on teen body image, sexual activity, drugs, alcohol, violence, cyber-bullying.

d. Cite evidence of how public health policies and government regulations can influence health promotion and disease prevention.

[HE] HED (9-12) 10 :

HE.2.3) Analyze how the perceptions of norms influence healthy and unhealthy behaviors.

Examples: addressing topics such as wearing safety equipment, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, suicide, cyber-bullying, weight management, potentially dangerous social media trends

[HE] WH (10-12) 2 :

WH.2.1) Examine the health challenges facing the world today.

a. Collect statistical data about health issues within various countries.

b. Investigate the influence of family, peers, and culture on possible solutions to world health issues.

c. Examine the links among health, economic development, media, and technology.

d. Research how disparities in socio-economic status can adversely affect health and access to health care globally.

e. Analyze the roles and responsibilities of government and non-governmental organizations in achieving global health.

In the past decades, a dazzling number of studies have investigated the effects of old and new media on children and teens. These studies have greatly improved our understanding of why youth are so massively attracted to media. And they have also shown how children and teens can be affected by media, in positive and negative ways. Plugged In provides insight into the most important issues and debates regarding media, children, and teens.