This timely series illustrates how students can take control of their lives and learn to create and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Explored in this series are eating disorders and how students suffering from them can get help; how teens can make healthy food choices, even at their favorite fast food restaurants; how they can incorporate fun exercise routines into their lives; and how the media can affect their self-image.Students will:
- learn that creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is within their control
- feel empowered to maintain a realistic body image
- discover resources available to help them achieve their health and fitness goals
- develop an understanding about common eating disorders
There is one Staff Development program and four Student programs:
HEALTHY FOR LIFE (Staff Development)
This program will help educators teach and reinforce positive life choices so that they can have a significant impact on the health of their students. Strategies that can help educators guide teens toward leading healthy lives are illustrated. Such strategies include starting a school-wide survey of eating habits, getting students involved in an evaluation of the school’s meal program, asking for parent involvement, using website resources, and establishing programs to help students recognize and develop "inner" qualities.
UNDERSTANDING EATING DISORDERS
This program explores the serious health problems that arise from eating disorders and urges students to seek out help if they themselves are suffering, or to approach a friend who may be exhibiting signs of an eating disorder. Getting help could save a life. 25 minutes
PREVENTING OBESITY: It’s Up to You!
With the help of a registered nutritionist and fitness expert, two teens create a plan of action to prevent obesity by setting realistic goals, finding exercise programs that interest them, and making healthier food choices even at fast food restaurants. After a few ups and downs, Alex and Vanessa succeed. Most important, they learn that controlling their weight and adapting a healthy lifestyle is up to them. 26 minutes
NUTRITION AND EXERCISE: Making Healthy Choices
This program shows students that making healthy food choices and incorporating exercise into their lives isn’t hard to do. Teens learn the benefits of substituting a fruit smoothie for a diet soda or a baked potato for french fries without sacrificing the occasional candy bar or treat. This catchy, fast-paced program also highlights the importance and variety of exercise - everything from basketball to dancing. 25 minutes
HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY BODY IMAGE (Real People)
Using interviews with real teens, this program explores the reality of how most people actually look, how young people respond to media images, and how they can maintain a positive self-image. It promotes self-acceptance and stresses the need to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Students will feel empowered to maintain a sensible, realistic body image attuned to the uniqueness of their own bodies. 26 minutes
***Includes Teacher's Guide