In this activity, students participate in a simulation that demonstrates that both genetic make-up and environmental factors influence an individual’s likelihood of becoming obese.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
- describe some of the factors that contribute to obesity
- explain that the likelihood of becoming obese has a genetic component that can be positively or negatively influenced by environmental factors
- describe some possible lifestyle changes that can help to maintain a healthy weight.
Acknowledgement: This activity was adapted from Risk Continuum, a resource created by the Genetic Science Learning Center, University of Utah.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
- introduction/background notes
- what you need
- what to do
- discussion questions
- extension ideas
- lifestyle cards.
Related content
This article looks at is Obesity: genetic or environmental?
Read this article to find out more about how scientists identify particular gene variations that might increase a person’s susceptibility to a particular disease.
Discover a new approach to obesity treatment – designing foods that influence the body’s control mechanisms on appetite and energy intake.
Activity idea
Use the Futures thinking tool to investigate obesity and the impact it has on the health system in the activity Futures thinking about obesity.
Useful link
Visit the Ministry of Health website to learn more about obesity in New Zealand.
