Question

You have been asked by your local elementary school principal to address a group of parents about the problem of obesity. Among the topics you have been asked to talk about are good nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Since all of your parents are adults, list five principles of adult learning, and describe how you would incorporate them into your teaching plan.

Answer 1

Adult Learning:

Adult learning is different from child learning,it is a practice in which adults engage themself in a activities of gaining new knowledge and skills.

This may include formal, non formal and informal learning activities.

Five principles of Adult Learning:

1)Adult must want to learn:

Adults must have strong inner motivation or a wish to acquire a new knowledge or skill,then only the adult learning will be effective.

2)Adults will learn only what they feel they need to learn.

Adult learning is distinct from child learning.Adults will learn new knowledge or skills which is helpful to them in their job and personal life.

3)Adult learning focuses on problems and the problems must be realistic:

Children learn their curriculum sequentially which is content oriented,but in case of adults they learn with a problem and then work to find a solution.

4)Experiences affects adult learning:

Adults are having many life experiences,skills and knowledge ,this can become an asset and liability in adult learning process.

5)Adults learn by Doing:

Adults learn through direct experience,therefore the training and learning process must focus on active and practical participation of the learner.

Adult learning about problems of obesity-Need of good nutrition,exercises and lifestyle changes.

Before teaching an adult, a teacher has to assess,whether a adult really wants to be educated about the topic.If learner is not having any wish or motive to learn,the whole process of learning activities will go in vain.

The educator can introduce the topic by discussing about life style illnesses and how life style modifications like proper nutrition and regular exercise helps to maintaining good BMI and improving the health status .For this first the educator can ask the group regarding their life style patterns like eating habits ,exercise pattern and about their current health status also . After assessing the group the educator can then explain how obesity is related to their health and what are the complications related to obesity in all age groups. Further how life modification and weight reduction will help them in leading a healthier life.

Since Adults learn based on their needs and benefits.Therefore by making them aware of their problems and methods to fight those problems will help them to identify themselves with the educator and the entire learning process.

Further, adult group could be introduced to those who had same previous experiences and had undergone weight reduction through proper nutition and exercise thereby bringing positive changes in their health and life .This will make them feel the class more realistic and motivating.

Illustrating few exercises and providing the adult learner's with few diet plans which is feasible for them will improve their confidence level as well.They could be even asked to redemonstrate exercises taught.

Obesity related life experiences or the consequences they went through,will promote adults to identify the complications early and it will make them actively participate in making decisions which suits them and their family.

Teaching plan:

Topic:

The Problems of Obesity-Role of good nutrition,Exercises and life style changes

Partcipants:Parents of elementary school children.

General Objectives:

At the end of the teaching,parents will be able to gain adequate knowledge and experiences regarding the role of good nutrition,exercises and life style changes.

Specific Objectives:

At the end of the teaching the parents will able to

• Identify the problems associated with obesity
• Explain the role of good nutrition,exercises and life style changes

Key concepts :

• Problems associated with obesity
• Role of good nutrition,exercises,life style changes in improving health status of obese children.

Introduction to teaching :

​​​​Introducing self to the parents,and assessing their prior knowledge and their willingness to learn about problems of obesity and role of good nutrition,exercises and life style changes in improving the health status .

Content:

What is obesity?

Obesiy can be defined as excessive accumulation of fat in adipose tissue leading to health impairement.

It is measured using Body Mass Index(BMI)

P​​​​​roblems associated with obesity:

As parents,it is essential to identify some negative implication of obesity to the children

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Precocious Puberty
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome(in girls)
• Sleep apnoea
• Eating disorders
• Asthma
• Depression
• Exercise intolerance
• Gall stones

Role of good nutrition,exercises and life style changes:

Good nutrition:

• Dietary control to create a negative energy balance(more energy is used than is consumed)
• Crash or fat diets should be avoided.
• Reducing fat,carbohydrates  
• Intake of plenty of fluids
• Eating only when hungry

Exercises:

• Increasing physical activities
• Promoting participation in sports
• Gradual increase in exercise hours

Healthy life style changes:

• Encourage children to involve in sports activities
• Health eating habits
• Keep children away from junk food
• Drinking plenty of water
• Regular physical checkup

Learning activities:

Presentation on problems of obesity and role of good nutrition,exercise and life style changes.

Learners will discuss on health problems of the person with obesity,,and measures they can follow to improve health status of them.

Methods of Evaluation:

The learners will be assessed on ability to understand the problems of obesity and role of good nutrition,exercises and lifestyle changes to improve health status.