Step 1. Visit a local fast food restaurant or the website for the restaurant. Review the nutritional information for a child's meal and an adult's meal. Both meals must be from the same restaurant. Give the name of the restaurant and list a typical meal in a chart for both an adult and a child. The information should include the following information for EACH item: Serving Size Calories Fat Carbohydrates Nutritional Value (vitamins, sodium , minerals, etc).
Do not just cut and paste a chart! Create a new chart with the items that are required.
Give an overall nutritional summary of the meals in a paragraph form citing sources and comparing to the information to the nutritional needs of young children based on your course text book.
Step 2. Many people feel fast food is a way of life for many Americans. If you know parents are going to continue to rely on fast food, take the information above and create better choices for both an adult and a child at the same restaurant. The same information should be included as above (serving size, calories, fat, etc). Again the meal make over must come from the same restaurant. Explain what differences or improvements you made to the meal and why.
Step 3. Review the American Academy of Pediatrics newest guidelines (July, 2008) on cholesterol and heart disease pertaining to children. These are in the E Module- Nutritional Needs of Young Children. Write a summary and your thoughts pertaining to this new position statement.
Step 4. Write at least one paragraph on the implications of childhood obesity including related risks.