In this activity, you will identify several factors that affect your nutritional requirements. You will learn to measure your basal metabolic rate (BMR) and active metabolic rate (AMR). You will determine the approximate number of calories your body needs to maintain good health. You will identify problems that occur when one or more nutrients are not available in the diet. You will choose a nutrition myth to research and find a solution.
The Healthy Body Calculator: Measure your wrist size, waist size, and hip size as directed. Enter the values and your height. (For purposes of this exercise, enter your age as 18). Record your results on the table on the data sheet.
What is basal metabolic rate? includes equation for calculation. Calculate your BMR according to the two equations given. Compare it the number from the previous site. Read the information on this page. Note the percent body fat for males and females.
Harris Benedict Equation: online calculator
BMR calculations includes information about diet requirements.
kCal-culator: Use this calculator to experiment with various activities to determine AMR.
Questions
to research: You will be assigned to one of these questions to
research.
13. What are the possible health effects
and problems that can develop in a calorie deficiency?
14. What are the possible health effects
that can develop in a calorie excess?
15. Low carbohydrate diets can cause
headaches and fatigue due to a deficiency of glycogen and blood
glucose. Explain why glycogen and blood glucose might be
related to fatigue.
16. What are the health effects of a diet
high in saturated fats?
17. Lack of protein and essential amino
acids can cause muscle wasting, thinning hair, and increased
susceptibility to infection. How is this related to the roles of
proteins in the body?
18. What is the function in the body of
the vitamins and minerals listed? What are symptoms of a
deficiency?
Biotin, Calcium, Copper, Folate, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus, Riboflavin, Thiamin, Vitamin A, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Zinc
WARNING: not everything you read on the internet is true!! be sure to verify all information. Do not believe just one source of information!
Helpful sites
Ask the Dietitian: a list of questions submitted about teenage health and answers provided by a registered nurse.
Vegetarian Nutrition for Teenagers
Access Excellence health education links
Health sites for students: links from Access Excellence
Staying healthy: links from Access Excellence
Fast food fact finder: enter the restaurant and menu information to determine the nutritional information for menu items
Daysworth nutrition calculator
Wake Forest University Medical Center: a plethora of nutritional, exercise, and weight management information
Calorie Counter: lists of a variety of foods and their caloric content
Calorie Counter: enter the food type and the site will tell you the basic information about calories.
Eating Awareness Team from the University of Calgary. faq of nutrition and diet information.
Teenage Nutrition: facts about food and its influence on daily life.
Food Guide Pyramid from American Dietetic Association
Teenage girls’ nutrition from American Dietetic Association
The Weight Loss Lab: this link is included because it has good information about nutrition and health. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO ENCOURAGE UNSUPERVISED DIETING!!!!