Dead End Diets: Why Fad Diets Don't Work

Gr 7 Up—According to this program, more than 20 percent of young Americans between the ages of 12 and 19 are obese, so the attraction of fad diets that promise fast results is compelling. In this video, nine teens, young men and women, discuss their experience with fad diets. The teens' negative involvement with them is backed up by expert testimony from registered dietitian Katrina Schroeder. She explains that regimens that are restrictive or advocate one type of food, such as cabbage soup or grapefruit, are considered such diets. She describes red flags as well as activities for teens wanting to improve their body image and develop a healthy relationship with food. The DVD features a 37-page teacher's resource book in PDF format with learning objectives, a program summary, and National Health Education Standards. Student activities include a health habits quiz, class debate questions, food and exercise diaries, fact sheets, and more.