6.NPA.3.1

6.NPA.3.1 Explain the relationships between food consumption, physical activity, and healthy weight management.Obesity is a concern for individuals as well as a worldwide problem. Keeping calorie intake at a level to balance physical activity while providing the necessary nutrients is a challenge. The average sixth grader needs 5 or more servings of bread or grain food, 3 or more vegetables, 2 or more fruits, 2-3 meat servings, and 3 milk servings for adequate nutrition. The “or more” depends on height and weight, and how much physical activity the youngster gets. Students who want to eat more calorie-dense foods should recognize that they need to increase their energy expenditure to allow for such foods.

Whether children choose high fat and sugar foods versus lower calorie, nutrient-dense food impacts weight within a given number of servings. For instance, in the same serving size, peanuts deliver 15 times the calories and 20 times the fat as popcorn, while an 80/20 hamburger patty delivers 270 calories and 21 grams of fat compared to a turkey burger’s 180 calories and 12 grams of fat.
 * The student will determine personal serving guidelines depending on his or her sex and need to gain, lose, or maintain weight.
 * The student will compare the calories, sugar and fat in food options within the same food group, selecting the ones that best meet personal needs.

6.NPA.3.2 Implement a personal wellness plan in nutrition and fitness to enhance quality of life.An effective personal wellness plan helps a person be well rounded and grounded. Sixth grade is a good time to practice “owning” a balanced life including school, activities with friends, fitness, family responsibilities, spirituality, food intake, rest, relaxation and sleep. It is a good time to learn to say “yes” to positive activities, “no” to negative ones, and “no” to overload. Using a day planner helps students understand how much is practical to do, when they need extra time for tests, papers or projects, and how to spread out the work so that they aren’t stressed at the last minute or lose sleep. While people are tempted to give up physical activity (and eat junk food) when they feel a time-crunch, it is when they need activity the most to reduce stress and rejuvenate the body so that it can focus and function better.

Myths about activity are: that it has to be strenuous, it takes too much time, it is boring or that one has to be athletic to get exercise. Moderate exercise like walking shows high benefits over being sedentary and it can be done in several short spurts of 10-15 minutes rather than one longer period. Most people can find some activity they like to do or someone special they like doing it with.

Setting goals for a balance of activities and planning for them with a weekly or monthly planner helps most people get organized and stay on track. Students can access helpful tools on-line to individualize wellness, nutrition or fitness plans and monitor their progress.
 * The student will identify components of a balanced lifestyle and determine a way a student can better manage his or her schedule.
 * The student will rebuff several myths about exercise and why it should not be crowded out by other demands.
 * The student will explore on-line day planners, dietary guidelines, activity trackers and food trackers to customize his or her wellness plan.