Community Health – my favourite unit
I always look forward to this unit. It proves a real challenge to open the eyes of my students and show them one of their health beliefs is in fact false. With this class, who are more outspoken and willing to challenge, this should be fun.
Within this unit I will introduce the paradigm of “Health at Every Size” which targets the modern obsession with obesity as unfounded and based on misinterpretations of facts. The process of breaking down the existing beliefs and preparing them to accept an opposing idea is a carefully planned and implemented one. In this unit more than any other I find it useful to present a wide range of supportive evidence. I will spend a number of lessons presenting summaries of research and discussing why they have the beliefs they have. One of the most interesting facts is that the misinterpretation of obesity as a health concern has been prepetuated by education and the health industry!
No doubt health educators with traditional beliefs regardoing obesity are querying my thinking now. However I encourage you, stay with me on this journey and perhaps you may also accept a different point of view.
The unit started today by negotiating with the students the submission dates for the 2 assessment items. This unit has a research report (individual) followed by an integrated task (group action research). Due to the stress they experienced at the end of last term with multiple assessment due, the class has decided submission dates that will allow them appropriate focus. So I have 6 weeks to ensure they have enough knowledge and skills to write the research report.
