Space theme tackles obesity and cholesterol levels in youngsters

Aug 23 2004

Houston, kids have a problem. Obesity and cholesterol levels in youngsters are skyrocketing to stratospheric heights.

Fortunately, nutritional strategies are in orbit to curb such unhealthy trends.

A supplement entitled “Food and Fitness,” one of three educational guides for teachers produced by Baylor College of Medicine for the NSBRI, teaches middle school students about the importance of nutrition and exercise using intergalactic themes.

Middle schools still need help in teaching students about nutrition,” said Dr. Nancy Moreno, a member of NSBRI's education and outreach team. “The space theme works really well because it runs throughout our popular culture.”

The guide’s lesson plans use astronauts’ diets and physical regimens to pique student interest. Inquiry activities help kids learn the basics of understanding energy, measuring calories, and calculating proper food intake based on their height and weight.

This particular topic is a great way to start the school year because it has the potential to make students aware of what they’re eating and about their levels of physical activity as they start the school year,” said Moreno, associate director of BCM’s Center for Educational Outreach.

In addition to explaining the food pyramid from soup to nuts, the guide teaches kids to evaluate their physical fitness using a scientific approach. Small group collaborative activities help each student determine what kind of diet best corresponds to his or her level of physical activity.

What seems to work with kids is when they can actually do some classroom activity that relates to them,” Moreno said. “If they get to investigate something that has to do with the real world, it provides a good theoretical basis for any kind of learning experience for kids.”

Results have been promising, with pre- and post-test assessments showing high rates of retention among students as well as positive feedback from teachers. Tens of thousands of hard copies of the guides have been distributed free-of-charge since the program’s inception. The materials may also be downloaded from the NSBRI web site ( http://www.nsbri.org).

In addition, the NASA-sponsored television program, NASA ConnectTM, used the guide and activities as the basis for an award-winning broadcast, “Better Health from Space to Earth.”

Work is underway to produce future editions, with learning activities planned for younger audiences in the third and fourth grades as well.