Heart Smart
Discussion Activity
Developed in conjunction with the Heart Smart University of Miami
Research Team and the Miami Science Museum
DISCUSSION ACTIVITY
Standards
The Heart Smart Discussion Activity addresses the following
National Health Education Standards Performance Indicators:
1.12.1 Predict how healthy behaviors can affect health status.
1.12.7 Compare and contrast benefits of and barriers to
practicing a variety of healthy behaviors.
6.12.2 Develop plan to attain a personal health goal that
addresses strengths, needs, and risks.
FACT
Physical activity, nutrition and
stress affect your heart health.
SURPRISING FACTS
Hispanic American
teenagers born
outside the US eat
healthier diets than
those born in the
US.
SURPRISING FACTS
33% of all US
deaths each year
are due to physical
inactivity, poor
eating habits, &
tobacco use.
SURPRISING FACTS
Watching TV
two hours or
more per day
is associated
with weight
gain.
SURPRISING FACTS
A regular
cheeseburger
and a large order
of fries have 750
calories. You
have to walk for
3.5 hours to work
off these calories.
SURPRISING FACTS
Cutting out 1
regular can of
soda a day will
lower your weight
by almost 15 lbs
a year.
SURPRISING FACTS
Autopsies of
healthy
teenagers killed
in accidents
show early
evidence of heart
disease.
SURPRISING FACTS
Too much
stress can
damage your
blood vessels
and heart over
time.
DISCUSSION ACTIVITY
Activity Goals

To get you talking and thinking
about your health.

To get you to decide what you
can do for a healthier heart.
DISCUSSION ACTIVITY
Roles

Facilitator
 keeps
the group on track and promotes
discussion

Record keeper
 uses
the Opinion Record pad to record the
final numbers of students who agree and
who disagree with each Discussion
Statement
DISCUSSION ACTIVITY
Activity Board
PROCEDURE
Don’t forget –
five minutes per
statement!
1. Read aloud DISCUSSION STATEMENT.
2. Place HEART on the AGREE or DISAGREE side of the board and
state why.
3. Read aloud AGREE and DISAGREE cards and discuss.
4. Facilitator reads LET’S TALK card to encourage further discussion.
5. Move HEART to indicate change of opinion.
6. Record keeper records final number of HEARTS on AGREE and
DISAGREE sides.
7. Retrieve HEART to use for next round.
8. Place all used cards at the bottom of each stack, and go to the next
DISCUSSION STATEMENT.
9. Repeat steps 1-8.
WHAT WILL YOU DO FOR A HEALTHIER HEART?
Your plan should be challenging, but something you can
achieve.
 Choose one behavior you want to change about your diet,
exercise or stress management.
 Be realistic and specific. Example: I will start walking 30 minutes a
day, 5 days a week.
 Keep track of your progress to see if you are reaching your goal.