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UNIT TITLE:

Is obesity a Disease? 

if so ...

Who's Responsible?

LINK LIBRARY:

Most people answer without thinking - because the message that we, personally, are responsible for our health and the appearance of our bodies - is constant in our culture.

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But how much can we really control?

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To what extent do we control our bodies - and to what extent do our genes and environment shape us?  In this unit, you'll explore how the food industry has shaped our culture, society, and politics - and made incredible amounts of money doing it.  You'll find out why breakfast is a lie, fat isn't bad, the cartel wars are connected to McDonald's, the diet industry is founded on false assumptions ... and how many of your assumptions about yourself and others are unfair.

THE BIG PICTURE

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THE MEAT INDUSTRY

  • California Law Preventing Using Sick Animals for Meat Struck Down

  • How the Meat Industry Influences Government Policies

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HOW WE SELL JUNK TO KIDS

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ADDICTION and REHAB

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THE SUGAR INDUSTRY

  • Tell Me I’m Fat

  • Body Bias Explained By Comics: Part I, Part II

  • How the Sugar Industry Blamed Fat

  • How We Became Addicted to Sugar - BBC.com

  • Why Sugar is So Tempting - BBC.com

  • Sugar Intake Should Be Halved - BBC.com

  • NYC Soda Ban Explained - Video Short by NYT Op-Docs Contributor

  • Coca-Cola Responsible for Woman’s Death - BBC.com

  • Coca-Cola Creates Anti-Obesity Advertisement - BBC.com

  • High Blood Pressure Related to Soda - BBC.com

  • Sugar Warnings for “Healthy” Soft Drinks - BBC.com

  • Population Information on Race and Age by State - cdc.gov

  • Comparing Physical Activity by State and Minority Group - CDC

  • State Report on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption - cdc.gov

  • Information on the Availability of Healthy Food in Different Areas - cdc.gov

  • Information and Graphs of Childhood Obesity - cdc.gov

  • State-by-State Comparison of Preschool Obesity Rates - cdc.gov

  • Exercise and Increasing Intelligence

  • Comparisons, by State, of TV Watched, Soda Drunk, and Family Meals Eaten

  • Obesity Shown to be Contagious - TIME

  • State by State Information

  • Link to MAP of CDC Data on Obesity

  • Fast-Food Workers on Strike

  • Fast-Food Workers on Strike - Second Article

  • Depression, Suicide, & Pregnancy High for Young Latinas

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