Eating Disorders: When Food Becomes an Enemy

I. Target Audience: Teenagers 13-19

II. Objective: To be able to understand the dangers of eating disorders and the
causes, notice the symptoms of most eating disorders, and to understand that help is
available for prevention and treatment of eating disorders.
III. Time allotted: 15-30 minutes
IV. Content and sequence:
1. Ask class if the know what eating disorders are or if theyve heard about
what it is? Ask if they know the causes and if theyve heard of the two major
disorders: anorexia and bulimia. How have they heard of these? Take the
opportunity to define the different eating disorders, and correct any
misinterpretations about what the class may have said that was wrong.
2. Next define the most prevalent eating disorders and their symptoms.
Address some causes of eating disorders, such as pressure from friends, and
family. Present medical complications that result from eating disorders and
explain how they can be life threatening.
3. Describe prevention and go over recommended dietary intake and
allowances. Explain recommended macronutrient amounts of carbohydrates,
protein, and fat for teens. Explain how much energy their body needs as
adolescents. Go over calcium, vitamin D, potassium, dietary fiber, and protein
and iron needs as well. Those micronutrients are low in adolescents.
4. Describe what My Plate is using a visual on the PowerPoint and describe
how to get to the site. Using MyPlate as reference, describe what healthy
eating is and how they can use this to portion their foods and prevent eating
disorders. Ask the class to brainstorm and think of what their plate would
look like and compare and contrast. Go over what they put in their plate and
have them explain why they put certain foods in their plate. Afterwards using
your own example of the perfect plate, describe to the class the right plate.
V. Learning Activities: Create hypothetical situations regarding different eating
disorders. Pass around to students the hypothetical situations and have them read
aloud the situation. Have class try to determine which eating disorder it is by the
symptoms and signs read off aloud. Pass out candy to correct answers.
VI. Materials:
Library resources and internet sites that help define eating disorders,
identify symptoms, and discuss methods of prevention
PowerPoint presentation
Handout for visual approach to promote healthy eating
Pen for quiz at the end of lesson
VII. Evaluation: Post test handed out after presentation