Category: excerpts

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Go ahead and bug me with The Good Stuff

Thank you, PBS Digital Studios, for reviving the 2013 (originally Google-funded) Internet program, “The Good Stuff,” which launched new episodes as of May 2015. The YouTube video playlist ranges from the history (and health effects) of sleep, the future of food, history of robots, and the limits of our perception. My current favorite, however, is the episode titled, “Why You Should Eat Bugs.”  Not only is the video visually-stimulating (or for some, gross), but it is also filled with thoughtful and culturally-responsive information that get us thinking about the quality and quality of the world’s food supply—and why developed countries should consider this efficient form of protein. I especially appreciate the cooking demonstrations. Care for a grasshopper taco? You can find the complete 13-minute episode below. Bon appetite.

You can subscribe to PBS Digital Studios YouTube channel [here]. Or just the “The Good Stuff” playlist  [here]. A new episode and/or playlist from “The Good Stuff” is available on the second Monday of every month.

Update (10/29/2015): Here’s an interesting article (“Do Not Feed Bugs to Students”) from Ted Fujimoto about the ways in which schools feed students “bugs” in the form of disengaging curriculum under the illusion of choice [read it here]

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The State of Obesity

www.stateofobesity.org
                www.stateofobesity.org

Did you know…

  • Kentucky high school students have the worst obesity rate in the United States?
  • Utah high school students have the lowest obesity rate in the United States?
  • Black youth view twice as many calories advertised in fast food commercials as White (non-Hispanic) youth?

What are possible explanations for these disparities? These data are found in  The State of Obesity, a collaborative effort of Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The site is clearly organized (user-friendly), and includes sections on obesity rates and trends, policy analysis, state briefs, and bite-sized lists. Fast facts are also available—such as the highest percentage of teenage obesity can be found in the southern United States, and the lowest are found in the western United States. A clear correlation shows that the poorer and less educated, the higher the rate of obesity.  The State of Obesity also highlights statewide trends, and findings based on age, socioeconomic status, and physical activity, among others. The site also offers opportunities and strategies for obesity prevention and policy recommendations.

At a micro level, the educational possibilities from the The State of Obesity  statistics are endless. Both media and health literacies hinge on the ability to access these data—and then analyze, evaluate and communicate findings. Parents and teachers can pose the question: “How do we know what we know about obesity?” Answering this question will lead young people to critical analysis of both individual behavior and societal structures that both impede as well as promote health.