Activity 3B: Mo’Besity: How Obesity May Affect Mobility

In this station lab activity, students will investigate how obesity affects a person’s mobility. The students will use their Student Data Pages to record the results of their investigation at each station. A Student Information Page will be provided at each station to guide students. Students will work in groups of four, with each being assigned a role. These roles include Reader, Recorder, Test Subject, or Data Collector.

Objectives:

Work in a group of 4 with assigned roles to complete a task (Task Cards are provided in the Teacher Pages)
Describe the effects obesity has on balance and mobility; Part 1: How stable am I?
Explain the relationship between the base of support and an object’s ability to be balanced/stable
Define base of support and center of gravity
Describe how obesity affects stability; Part 2: Carrying weight where?
Explain the relationship between line of gravity, base of support, and an object’s ability to be balanced/stable
Define line of gravity
Measure the difference in line of gravity when weight is added
Describe how obesity affects the line of gravity; Part 3: R.O.M of elbow joint
Define range of motion
Measure range of motion of the elbow with and without additional weight
Explain the relationship between range of motion and obesity; Part 4: R.O.M of knee joint
Define range of motion
Measure range of motion of the knee with and without additional weight
Explain the relationship between range of motion and obesity; Part 5: Time to get up
Describe how obesity affects daily activities; Part 6: Let’s take a walk
Describe how obesity affects daily activities
Explain the relationship between range of motion and obesity; Part 7: BMI
Calculate BMI (body mass index)