Weight Loss club for my students?

Question

I am a middle school teacher, and I have noticed that MANY of my students are "over weight." That is to say, that they can stand to loss some weight. I know that physical acitivity drops amongst middle school students everywhere, but when I ask my students what they do to workout, their answer is "nothing." Most of my students know that I have recently lost about 40 pounds and that I went from being "thick" to "skinny"-- I tell them that I have achieved my weight loss my diet and exercise. My question to ya'll is 1- do you think that a club to help teach about a healthier life style (we simply don't have time during the day) is appropriate and 2- What should the lessons be about? (specifically) 3- Do you think any kids would participate? (if you are 10-15, you input is greatly appreciated!) 4- What is a name that isn't offensive? The club wouldn't be just about weight loss but healthier living. (i.e. diet, exercise, stress reduction, support, etc.) THANK YOU!!

Answer 1

This is not your job nor any of your business. Keep on teaching.  Try a classical music club, or a painting club instead.

Answer 2

I would leave the weight loss part out of it. Concentrate on a healthy living program (which will of course lead to weight loss). There are many students who are not overweight who are unhealthy as well. Everyone can benefit by learning about healthy lifestyles, exercise, healthy foods, etc.

Be cautious about "biggest loser" type contests. Weight loss in children should really be monitored by a doctor and you could get in some real trouble with the school system.

Answer 3

Honestly, I think the kids would only participate if they were being pushed to by parents at home...and something tells me if they are all overweight I doubt the parents at home are pushing for healthy living in the first place.....

Answer 4

It sounds nice but "would it work"?   Also would it be worth it if only one person "got it"? I think so but it will be hard maybe it's something that the whole school can participate in.  you know how the school wants all students to read x amount of books

Answer 5

I think a weight loss club would be GREAT!  as a soon-to-be teacher myself...

1.  I would call it the Healthier Lifestyle club, or Fit for Life or something NOT directly reflecting weight loss, tho that may be a main goal.

2.  I would incorporate as much peer time and outdoors stuff into it as possible.  Like anonymous peer review of food diaries, and trips to beaches, parks, skate rink, community pools etc.  kids these days really need to get out more.  Even if you are just letting them sit outside in the grass, we all know fresh air is good for you, put it into PRACTICE!  Besides being outdoors has shown to be stress-reducing.

3.  I would make it like the 'biggest loser' show...  Every quarter whoever lost the most weight would recieve somehting nice, like a gift certificate or movie tickets or something.  I would also at the end of the year have a great reward for the biggest loser the whole year.  to avoid persons who might be wanting to turn anorexic/bulemic in order to win, I would make it a rule that you can only win 1 quarter of the year, but anyone could win the final year award of the MOST lost total.  Another reward system would be to get those little (fairly cheap) # of steps moniters they have.  Have the group set weekly, monthly, quarterly goals and do something 'fun' (read this as outdoors and incorporating excersize) with them.  Like say everyone makes 1 million steps (added together) in a month, offer to take them on a hike at some nearby mountain, river, waterfalls, and then treat to lunch.

4.  most importantly I would center the curriculum around healthy lifestyle choices in relation to physical health and not just weight.  (no moral issues tho) The problem is that too much emphasis on weight would be really discouraging for many of them.  Plan field trips to just go walking at the beach for say 1 hr.  Have them do alot of oral-Q/A stuff, not alot of paperwork (sitting at a desk all the time is not what they need).  Have your focus be on the different ways that walking is good for you, then about cardio-excersize, deep-breathing, swimming, dance, etc.  Try to make the excersize meaningful and not just in a boring gym on a treadmill.  If the kids want to talk and walk the track let them.  Make it a 2x weekly thing say once in the morn B4 school, and then another day after school.  So say you are doing a peice on how the different dances are good for you body, take them all to a square dance, or a belly dance thing.  there is a set of DVD's called Samba I think, by a guy who does LATIN dance steps and moves into a cardio workout.  It's fun.  

5.  Dont make food a taboo subject, bring it out into the open.  Talk to them about why carbs translate into fats on the body.  Teach them how to make healthier choices when eating.  Talk about differences in male/female metabolism etc.  let them eat if they want as long as it is a REAL healthy food, make that a rule.  No junk food, pizza, pop, etc.  They have all seen the food pyramid, but that isnt enough if they dont know how much a serving is.

6.  I would try to also preserve as much privacy as possible.  Have everyone sign a roster agreeing that issues discussed in the group and between members are to stay there and do not go outside the group.  Also make it a rule, there is no put-downs, negative remarks about another persons weight/health struggles.  

7.  I would not only encourage them to keep food diaries, since alot of people dont realize what they eat till they see it written down, but also have them submit ANONYMOUS short (1-2 pragraphs) optional journal pieces to be read aloud by you about how they feel about their weight, or related issue, or struggles, etc.  Then have them flow into a group discussion about how the peice reflected with them.  Let it be free-thought and then guide it into the curriculum.