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Project SHARE Curriculum: The Importance of Food Labels

Student Health Advocates Redefining Empowerment

The Importance of Food Labels

In the Importance of Food Labels lesson, students will learn about fresh foods and processed foods, and understand which foods require a food label. They will compare the old food labels to the new food labels, and select which parts of each they think are the most helpful when deciding what to eat.

Objectives:

  • Differentiate between fresh foods and packaged foods.
  • Compare and contrast the old food labels with the upcoming changes.
  • Create their own food label using both the current food label and the proposed label as guides.
  • Demonstrate the ability to analyze food labels to make healthy food choices.

Materials:

  • Instructor computer and projector
  • Blackboard or whiteboard
  • Handouts

National Health Education Standards that Align with the Importance of Food Labels Lesson

  • 1.12.1  Analyze how environment and personal health are interrelated.
  • 1.12.7  Compare and contrast the benefits of and barriers to practicing a variety of healthy behaviors.
  • 2.12.7  Analyze how the perceptions of norms influence healthy and unhealthy behaviors.
  • 2.12.10 Analyze how public health policies and government regulations can influence health promotion and disease prevention
  • 5.12.1  Examine barriers that can hinder healthy decision making.
  • 5.12.2  Determine the value of applying a thoughtful decision-making process in health-related situations.
  • 5.12.6  Defend the healthy choice when making decisions.
  • 5.12.7  Evaluate the effectiveness of health-related decisions.
  • 7.12.2  Demonstrate a variety of healthy practices and behaviors that will maintain or improve the health of self and others.

National Strategies that Align with the SHARE Curriculum

Healthy People 2020 Objectives

AH-2      Increase the proportion of adolescents who participate in extracurricular and/or out-of-school activities.

AH-3.2   Increase the proportion of parents who attend events and activities in which their adolescents participate.

National Partnership for Action

Goal 1         Awareness - Increase awareness of the significance of health disparities, their impact on the nation, and the actions necessary to improve health outcomes for racial, ethnic, and underserved populations.

Strategy 2:  Develop and support partnerships among public, nonprofit, and private entities to provide a comprehensive infrastructure to increase awareness, drive action, and ensure accountability in efforts to end health disparities and achieve health equity across the lifespan.

Goal 2:        Leadership - Strengthen and broaden leadership for addressing health disparities at all levels.

Strategy 7:  Invest in young people to prepare them to be future leaders and practitioners by actively engaging and including them in the planning and execution of health, wellness and safety initiatives.