Unit 2: How is learning being influenced by the childhood obesity epidemic?

Return to: Unit 1: What factors are influencing the childhood obesity epidemic?

Learning Objectives

Educators will become aware of how childhood obesity plays a factor in learning

Activities

Educators will read articles and previous studies on the impacts of childhood obesity and learning.

1. Educators will choose to read one of the following two academic studies conducted, that asks about the connection between childhood obesity and academic performance. Highlighting what they believe is important and stands out to them.

Body Mass Index, Academic Achievement and School Context... (This link will download as a PDF)

or The Relationship between Obesity and Academic Achievement of School-Age Children

2. Educators will then read two of the three the following "non-academic" news articles that explore the connections between childhood obesity and academic performance. Again they will highlight what they believe is important and stands out to them.

Does obesity affect school performance?

Childhood Obesity Affects Academic Performance, Studies Show

Obesity Linked To Lower Grades Among Teen Girls

Educators will discuss the impacts that that childhood obesity has played in their learning environment.

1. Educators after reading three different articles will discuss their thoughts on the readings and how the childhood obesity has impacted their learning environment. Click here to answer!

Extended Resources

Crosnoe, R., & Muller, C. (2004). Body Mass Index, Academic Achievement, and School Context: Examining the Educational Experiences of Adolescents at Risk of Obesity. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 393-407.

Gardner, A. (2012, June 1). Does obesity affect school performance? - CNN.com. Retrieved December 10, 2015, from Does obesity affect school performance?

Naticchioni, K. (2013). E Relationship between Obesity and Academic Achievement of School-Age Children. John Carroll University Carroll Collected.

Poon, L. (2014, March 1). Obesity Linked To Lower Grades Among Teen Girls. Retrieved December 10, 2015, from http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/03/11/289070502/obesity-linked-to-lower-grades-among-teen-girls

Sanchez, H. (2014, September 29). Childhood Obesity Affects Academic Performance, Studies Show. Retrieved from http://www.ischoolguide.com/articles/2849/20140929/childhood-obesity-affects-academic-performance-studies-show.htm

Move to:Unit 3: What can be done in schools to help combat childhood obesity epidemic?