Our Supersized Kids: Childhood Obesity

PBS Learning Media: Physical Education - Kids In Motion

Our Supersized Kids: Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a crippling crisis of supersized proportions. During the past four decades, obesity rates have soared among all ages, but no more so than in children ages 6 to 11. Today, nearly a third of our children and adolescents are overweight or obese. And the numbers continue to rise.

KSPS's Our Supersized Kids delves into the issues causing the childhood obesity epidemic in the Pacific Northwest and around the country and what’s being done about it. Families struggling with obesity are profiled along with successful programs. 

Use the video segments and discussion questions to help students explore the major causes of the childhood obesity epidemic and what can be done about it. Visit KSPS Education for additonal educator resources.

https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/our-supersized-kids-childhood-obesity/our-supersized-kids-childhood-obesity/

Overview

Childhood obesity is a crippling crisis of supersized proportions. During the past four decades, obesity rates have soared among all ages, but no more so than in children ages 6 to 11. Today, nearly a third of our children and adolescents are overweight or obese. And the numbers continue to rise.

Our Supersized Kids delves into the issues causing the childhood obesity epidemic in the Pacific Northwest and around the country and what’s being done about it. Families struggling with obesity are profiled along with successful programs.

Grades: 3 and up

Subjects: Nutrition, Childhood Obesity, Health, Fitness

Standards: This learning resource guide is aligned to the Washington State K-12 Learning Standards for Health and Physical Education.

· Standard 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.
· Standard 2: Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors.
· Standard 4: Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
· Standard 5: Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.
· Standard 7: Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.

Discussion Questions

These articles offer additional insight and multiple perspectives on the issue of childhood obesity. Reading them in conjunction with viewing Our Supersized Kids may spark richer discussions:

• The Urgency in Fighting Childhood Obesity (NY Times)
• What Can $1 Billion do to Prevent Childhood Obesity? (PBS NewsHour)
• Progress in curbing childhood obesity, but not for all (PBS NewsHour)
• Preventing Childhood Obesity (PBS)

Discussion Questions

1. What comes to mind when you hear the word obesity?
2. Is obesity a choice?
3. Who are the obese people in your town? In the United States? Does obesity look the same in different places?
4. If a country, city, or a town has a high level of obesity, what does that tell you?
5. Do you think obesity is an “epidemic” in the United States? Why or why not?
6. Why do you think low-income communities have higher rates of childhood obesity than high-income communities? Is childhood obesity mostly an economic issues?
7. Why do you think obesity is increasing in the United States, particularly in young children?
8. Why is it important to recognize obesity early in young children?
9. How does obesity affect the day-to-day lives of children?
10. Based on your viewing of Our Supersized Kids, what are three positive changes families can make to promote more healthy lifestyles inside and outside the home?
11. What role should the government play in fighting childhood obesity?
12. What questions do you still have about childhood obesity or obesity in general?

National Health Education Standards

1.5.2  Identify examples of emotional, intellectual, physical, and social health.See More 1.5.2 Resources

2.5.1 Describe how the family influences personal health practices and behaviors.See More 2.5.1 Resources

5.5.1 Identify health-related situations that might require a thoughtful decision.See More 5.5.1 Resources

5.5.6 Describe the outcomes of a health related decision.See More 5.5.6 Resources

1.8.7 Describe the benefits of and barriers to practicing healthy behaviors.See More 1.8.7 Resources

2.8.2 Describe the influence of culture on health beliefs, practices and behaviors.See More 2.8.2 Resources

5.8.1 Identify circumstances that can help or hinder healthy decision making.See More 5.8.1 Resources

5.8.2 Determine when health-related situations require the application of a thoughtful decision making process.See More 5.8.2 Resources

5.8.3 Distinguish when individual or collaborative decision making is appropriate.See More 5.8.3 Resources

8.8.3 Work cooperatively to advocate for healthy individuals, families, and schools.See More 8.8.3 Resources

1.12.2 Describe the interrelationships of emotional, intellectual, physical, and social health.See More 1.12.2 Resources

2.12.1 Analyze how family influences the health of individuals.See More 2.12.1 Resources

2.12.2 Analyze how the culture supports and challenges health beliefs, practices and behaviors.See More 2.12.2 Resources

4.12.1 Utilize skills for communicating effectively with family, peers, and others to enhance health.See More 4.12.1 Resources

5.12.1 Examine barriers that can hinder healthy decision making.See More 5.12.1 Resources

5.12.5 Predict the potential short and long-term impact of each alternative on self and others.See More 5.12.5 Resources

5.12.7 Evaluate the effectiveness of health-related decisions.See More 5.12.7 Resources

8.12.3 Work cooperatively as an advocate for improving personal, family and community health.See More 8.12.3 Resources

2.5.2 Identify the influence of culture on health practices and behaviors.See More 2.5.2 Resources

5.5.3 List healthy options to health related issues or problems.See More 5.5.3 Resources

5.12.2 Determine the value of applying a thoughtful decision making process in health related situations.See More 5.12.2 Resources

5.8.4 Distinguish between healthy and unhealthy alternatives to health- related issues or problems.See More 5.8.4 Resources

5.8.5 Predict the potential short-term impact of each alternative on self and others.See More 5.8.5 Resources

5.8.7 Analyze the outcomes of a health related decision.See More 5.8.7 Resources

5.12.3 Justify when individual or collaborative decision making is appropriate.See More 5.12.3 Resources

5.12.4 Generate alternatives to health-related issues or problems.See More 5.12.4 Resources