Jane Hinrichsen, FACS, CFCS
North High School, North St. Paul, MN
Healthy Living is an elective course at North High
School, North St. Paul, MN
• It is two trimesters
• It alternates every other day with Physical Education
• Students receive 1 credit in FACS and Physical
Education each
• Developed because of the obesity issue in society
“North Houses
about 2000
students
annually. This is
one class”
Why Incorporate Healthy Living into
the Curriculum?
• Excessive weight among youth affects
virtually every organ system
• Increases the risk of premature death
• Obesity adversely affects self-esteem,
academic accomplishment, and future
earning potential of children
Source: Journal of the American Medical Association (2010)
New England Journal of Medicine, 1993; 2010
• More children are lacking the skills to make
healthy lifestyle choices.
• More than before, parents and caregivers
today cannot be expected or relied on to teach
their children how to prepare healthy meals
• Work schedule and children’s extracurricular
activities prevent involvement of children in
shopping and preparation of food
• The family dinner is not as common for many
families
Source: Lichtsteinen & Ludwig, 2010 Bring Back Home Economics Education
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Personal Healthy statistics
Nutrition and my plate.gov
Sanitation and Safety
Equipment
Measurement (Smoothie Lab)
Importance of Breakfast: Two labs: A: Pumpkin pancake and Baked
Apples
B: Breakfast tarts and breakfast
pizza
Healthy Snacks: 6 different topping or dips
Grains and Quick Breads: Two labs: A: Healthy Muffins
B: Grains we may not heard of
Low calorie and healthy desserts: 6 different types
The importance of eating together: A: Chicken Fajita
B: Chili
C: Pasta with homemade sauce
Vegetables: 6 different types
Fruit: Students demonstrate how to cut and use fruits. Then taste
We discuss all eating disorders
Students have two cooking and home assignments: Breakfast and family meal
My Start Up Chart To Healthy Living
Name: _________________________Date:_______________
My personal measurements
Chest: ______inches
Waist: ______ inches
Hip: ______ inches
Bicep: ______ inches
Thigh: ______ inches
Calf: ______ inches
Weight: _________pounds
Height: _____feet _______inches
We do this at midpoint
of the course and the
end
Body Mass Index: ________
Blood Pressure: _____________
I think that I need to (check one) ___lose weight___gain weight ___keep my
weight where it is.
I think that I need to (check one) ___increase my workout activity___lower my
workout activity___keep my workout activity where it is at.
I think I need to ___ change my eating habits ___ maintain my current eating
habits.
Lesson: 3 to 4 weeks: Family focus and eating
together:
When there is a new
term used in the lab we
focus on those terms
along with the area of
study
We do 3 labs: Pasta with home made sauce
Chili
Chicken Fajita’s …Student
Favorite!
Besides focusing on the family we talk about
Cooking terms. In the fajita lab….
• Marinate
• Sauté
• De-glaze
An example, the grain lab.
Each kitchen makes a
different item, We have
a tasting buffet
• The Importance of Family Meals
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE8srXJIo8Q
• This is a short T.V. clip
• Discussing the importance of Family Dinner time (Short T.V. Clip)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_BpPVUbabQ
• The Weight of the Nation/HBO
• http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/
• We did acquire students that don’t normally sign
up for FACS through the physical education course
tie
• In urban areas students prepare food at home less
and less making FACS programs essential
• Students that took the course seriously had positive
results from the course. (2 girls lost over 20 pounds,
Several boys decreased body fat)
• In urban areas processed foods are dominant in
many homes and warming up is often
considered cooking
• When students were assigned to make meals at
home they felt good about themselves and what
they accomplished.
• When students were assigned to make meals at
home parents were pleased and enjoyed the
activity.
• Students complained about the lack of baking
but they enjoyed learning about new
things……Mostly.
• Food tracking sheet and evaluation: Students hate this and it
is time consuming for you but it is essential to look at what they
eat and comment. Most often filled with JUNK!
• Sandwich lab: Alternative to grilled cheese type sandwiches.
They like this
• At home meals: Great family building activity
• Etiquette: Student are rarely aware of proper behavior for
dining.
• My Plate Interactive Study Guide: If you have not done an
activity like this it is great for the students
• Family Meal Concentration:
• We believe the program is
growing and successful
• We are reaching students and
changing family life styles .
• The Young man in the photo decided to change his families
habits after seeing the DVD
“Killer at Large” Shinebox media production
• He is lifting weights and exercising with his dad. He has lost
10 pounds and his dad has lost 15 pounds. The young man IS
the motivation.