Introduction
PART 2: Exploring the Problem (Weeks 2 & 3)
Over the next 2 weeks you will further explore your understanding of the problem of obesity by explaining in an analytic essay why childhood obesity is a problem, as well as, engaging in a group research activity based on one or more implication levels of childhood obesity. Following your research, you will present your findings on your group's Wiki presentation page.
Task
PART 2: Exploring the Problem (Weeks 2 & 3)
Weeks 2 & 3 Overview:
1) Compose essay
4) Complete and submit process worksheets
2) Engage in research/presentation group discussion
3) Select and research implication levels of obesity
5) Present research findings on group Wiki page
6) Explore other group's Wiki presentations
7) Submit peer and group-assessment forms
Week 2 (Essay)
For week 2 you will further explore your understanding of the problem by composing an analytic essay (500 words) explaining why childhood obesity is a problem. The essay is due at the end of week 3. In order to help you compose your essay, you will need to complete and submit a process worksheet through the Moodle course website along with your completed essay. An assessment rubric has been provided in the Evaluation section.
Week 3 (Presentation)
For week 3 you will engage in a discussion on the course Moodle website with your research/presentation groups about which implications levels you want to research for your group's first Wiki presentation. The group discussion will give you an opportunity to share your understanding, as well as, to discuss how you wish to proceed with your research. To help organize your research, your group will also complete and submit process worksheets (one per group member) by the end of week 3. Further, you will be required to post your research findings on you group Wiki page. Following this, you will be asked to explore other groups Wiki presentation pages and reflect on these presentations as they relate to your own research and understanding. You will also complete your peer and group-assessments for week 3 through the Moodle course website in order to gauge your participation in this week's group activities. A grading rubric for the group Wiki presentation is provided in the Evaluation section. Example resources are provided in the Process section as a starting point for research on the implication levels of obesity.
Process
PART 2: Exploring the Problem (Weeks 2 & 3)
Week 2 (Essay):
Use the information provided in Part 1 to analyze why childhood obesity is a problem. You will need to compose an analytic essay (no more than 500 words) and answer the question: Why is childhood Obesity a Problem? Note, you should not discuss implications, causes, or solutions. Rather, disuss why childhood obesity is a problem. Use a process worksheet to help you organize your essay. Once completed, submit your essay along with your process worksheet through the Moodle course website. Your essay is due at teh end of Week 3.
Week 3 (Presentation):
Discuss with your research/presentation group about how you wish to proceed with your Wiki presentation. Decide with your group which implication levels of childhood obesity you wish to research for this week's Wiki presentation. A list of resources has been complied below. You may focus on any implication level you wish. You can use additional resources, but you must include one of the resources below as a reference in your process worksheet. Please submit your process worksheets (one per group member) once you have completed your research and posted your findings on your group's Wiki presentation page.
Once you have completed this week's activities, please complete your peer and group-assessments on the Moodle course website. Also, don't forget to explore the other group Wiki pages, you will be asked to reflect on this in your group-assessment form.
Implication levels of childhood obesity:
1) The individual
- Health, stress, and longevity
- Cognitive development
- Self-esteem and appearance.
MyFoodDiary. (2014). [A website allowing people to track their own diet and exercise.] Retrieved from http://www.myfooddiary.com/?source=g_ ds_tracker&OVKEY=diet%20and%20exercise%20tracking&gclid=CJX- a4oaHh7YCFY6e4AodGGoASQ
2) Functional units such as the family
- Family budget
- Schedules and time allotment
- Food preparation and mealtime
National Public Radio. (2013). On the run: How families struggle to eat well and exercise [Podcast series]. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/ templates/story/story.php?storyId=172693794&live=1
3) Institutions
• Schools
• Hospitals and health care facilities
Khadaroo, S. T. (June 27, 2012). Obesity in America: Schools on the front line of the fight. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2012/0627/Obesity-in-America- Schools-on-the-front-line-of-the-fight
4) Society
• Health care costs
• Economic burden of illness
Hellmich, N. (November 17, 2009). Rising obesity will cost U.S. health care $344 billion a year. USA Today. Retrieved from http://usatoday30. usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2009-11-17-future-obesity- costs_N.htm
Evaluation
PART 2: Exploring the Problem (Weeks 2 & 3)
Please complete the peer and group-assessment forms on the Moodle course website. Weekly assessments are worth 5% of your final grade, which means you are largely responsible for a large percentage of your final grade for this course.
Assessment for Analytic Essay (Week 2)
RUBRIC (OUT OF 100 POSSIBLE POINTS)
A good essay will:
• Be composed of five or more paragraphs (500 words maximum), including an introduction and conclusion (5 points)
• Be clear and concise (10 points)
• Start with an engaging thesis (15 points)
• Begin each paragraph with a strong topic sentence (25 points)
• Use three or more pieces of evidence to support each topic sentence (25 points)
• Transition smoothly between paragraphs/topic sentences (5 points)
• End with a sound conclusion (15 points)
Assessment for Group Research/Solution Wiki (Week 3)
RUBRIC (OUT OF 100 POSSIBLE POINTS)
A good Wiki will:
• Be relevant and informative (25 points)
• Be well organized (10 points)
• Relate to improving the quality of life (5 points)
• Demonstrate proper use of statistics, definitions, etc. (10 points)
• Cite research appropriately (15 points)
• Be clear (10 points)
• Provide adequate background and critique of studies presented (10 points)
• Demonstrate good working knowledge of topic (15 points)
Conclusion
PART 2: Exploring the Problem (Weeks 2 & 3)
Once you have completed your essay assignment and uploaded your implication levels research findings findings on your group's Wiki presentation page, as well as, reviewed other group's Wiki presentations and and completed and submitted your peer and group assessment forms through the Moodle course website, please continue to Part 3.
Credits
WebQuest adapted from:
Blakeslee, J.A. (2014). Childhood obesity: A TOPSS problem-focused unit. American Psychological Association. Available Online: https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/topss/lessons/childhood-obesity.pdf