Healthy Eating & Body Image

Curriculum Area and Level

Subject: Health Education
Grade Level: 9-12
Standards: South Dakota Health Education Standards

• Standard 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention.
• Standard 5: Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.
• Standard 8: Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Identify the components of a balanced diet and explain their importance to overall health.
2. Analyze the impact of disordered eating behaviors on physical and mental health.
3. Evaluate social and cultural influences on body image and eating habits.
4. Develop strategies for promoting healthy relationships with food and body image.

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Materials Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed food pyramid and dietary guidelines
• Scenario cards for group activity
• Video clip on eating disorders (pre-selected, 2-3 minutes)
• Sticky notes
• Student notebooks and pens

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Lesson Structure (45 Minutes)

1. Introduction & Warm-Up (10 minutes)

Activity: Quick Fire Brainstorm

• Write the words “Healthy Eating” and “Eating Disorder” on the board.
• Have students take one minute to jot down everything they associate with these terms on sticky notes.
• Invite students to place their sticky notes under the correct category.
• Briefly discuss patterns in their responses, correcting any misconceptions.

Key Questions:

• What does a balanced diet look like?
• How do social media and culture impact our eating habits?
• Why do some people develop unhealthy eating habits?

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2. Core Content (15 minutes)

A. Understanding Nutrition (7 minutes)

• Show a visual representation of the recommended dietary guidelines and the role of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
• Discuss common nutritional deficiencies in teens (e.g., iron, calcium, and protein deficiencies).
• Quick myth vs. fact game: Read statements about nutrition, and have students move to one side of the room for “Myth” or another for “Fact.”

B. Eating Disorders & Their Impact (8 minutes)

• Play a 2-3 minute video clip covering different types of eating disorders (e.g., anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder).
• Discuss physical, emotional, and social consequences of eating disorders.
• Ask students: How do unrealistic body standards contribute to unhealthy eating behaviors?
• Provide brief real-life case study examples (anonymous or from historical figures) to illustrate the long-term effects.

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3. Interactive Group Activity (12 minutes)

Scenario Role-Playing:

• Divide the class into four small groups.
• Provide each group with a scenario card detailing a situation related to nutrition, body image, or disordered eating.
• Groups discuss & develop a response to help the person in the scenario.
• Each group presents their scenario and solution to the class.
• Teacher guides the discussion, reinforcing positive coping strategies and where to seek help.

Example Scenarios:

1. A student skips meals to "stay thin" for an upcoming event.
2. Someone starts using supplements excessively without proper guidance.
3. A teen feels pressured by social media influencers promoting extreme dieting.
4. A friend makes negative comments about their body daily, affecting their self-esteem.

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4. Closing & Reflection (8 minutes)

Exit Ticket:
Students anonymously respond to one of the following prompts on an index card:

1. What is one thing you learned today that surprised you?
2. How can you promote a healthier relationship with food in your own life?
3. What is one way you can support a friend struggling with body image issues?

Wrap-Up Key Takeaways:

• Balance is key in nutrition.
• Unhealthy relationships with food can lead to serious health risks.
• Social media impacts body image—but we can control what we choose to believe.
• Help is available—students can reach out to teachers, counselors, or trusted adults if they or someone they know is struggling.

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Assessment & Homework

Assessment:

• Participation in discussion and group activity
• Quality of responses in exit tickets

Homework:

• Students keep a food & mood journal for two days to reflect on how eating habits affect their energy levels and mental well-being (without focusing on calorie counting).

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Teacher Reflection & Adaptation

• What worked well? (Did students engage with role-playing?)
• What could be improved? (Should the video be shortened or expanded?)
• Did students demonstrate deeper thinking about nutrition and mental health?

This lesson connects science, social awareness, and personal health while making space for critical thinking, empathy-building, and real-world application—ensuring students leave feeling empowered in their health choices.