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Lesson 4: Perceived Overweight and Actual Weight Risk Classification
Topic: Nutrition and Body Image
Part of:
Unit: Nutrition and Aging
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- Focus:
The maintenance of a healthy weight is necessary throughout the entire aging process. Two questions will be addressed to the students: Do you think you are overweight? Are you attempting weight loss? Students will determine if they are at a healthy weight. Class data will be collected to compare perceived overweight and attempt at dieting with actual weight risk classification. Determination of the Body Mass Index can be a guideline to follow as one ages.
Activities | Introduction | Objectives | Resources & Web Sites
Activities
| Activity 4A: Perceived Overweight and Actual Weight Risk Classification |
(overweight, risk factor, survey, bmi, body mass index, obesity, classify, weight risk, weight loss, dietary habit, survey, data collection)
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| Activity 4B: Nomogram for BMI & Research Reports (En Español) |
(survey, data collection, bmi, body mass index, overweight, obesity, nomogram, algorithm, risk classification) |
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| Entire Lesson Download (6 pages) |
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Introduction
Lesson 4, “Perceived Overweight and Actual Weight Risk Classification,” introduces students to the concept of Body Mass Index (BMI — weight adjusted for height). Students will calculate their own BMI and determine where they are positioned in a population based distribution. Activities center on perceptions of overweight and the associated health risks for different levels of body mass. Emphasis should be placed on the extremes of BMI. While it is unhealthy to carry too much weight, it is also unhealthy to be too thin. As always,emphasis should be placed on objective evaluation of information. Teachers should be careful that individual students not be judged or “labeled ” as fat (or skinny) by discussions of BMI in class. Students wishing to make changes should be guided into how they may do this in a healthful way (this should include identification of barriers to changing dietary and activity habits).
Background Information for the Teacher
Discuss what is meant by healthy or desirable weight after the students complete the survey questions. The desirable weight (or more accurately, weight range) for any given height and body build, is the weight in which death and disease are lowest. It is a weight that allows for appropriate growth and development. It also means a weight that allows for optimal function free of discomfort.
There are a number of standard height and weight tables, with the ones developed by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company the most-used among physicians. The standard tables do not take into account differences in age, frame, body type, and other variables, such as muscularity. In general, someone who is 20 percent or more above “desirable” weight is considered obese. This formula does not account for differences in frame size and type. Bones and muscle tissue weigh more than fat.
Explain the term body mass index as an adjustment of weight for height before the students use the nomogram. Students will compare their perception of overweight with their body mass index. Discuss with the students how incorrect perceptions about overweight may cause dietary behaviors to be followed that could be harmful to one's health. Emphasize the importance of this issue since poor dietary habits frequently are followed into adulthood.
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Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Interpret collected data on perceived overweight.
- Measure weight and height to determine body mass index to evaluate weight status.
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Resources & Web Sites
Body Mass Index Calculator
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/
Body Mass Index Calculator for Kids http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/bmicalculator.html
All about Eating Disorders - by Mental Health Net http://eatingdisorders.mentalhelp.net/
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