Biological Needs: Hunger

1. Biological Needs: Hunger

2. Warm-up • What is your opinion on this issue? Should healthy school lunches be a nation-wide initiative? Why or why not? • How can psychology be used to help kids make healthy choices for lunch?

3. Biological Needs • Biological needs are what our body needs in order to survive • things such as: food, water, air, temperature regulation, and pain avoidance • Food plays a role psychologically, as well as biologically • Food often is associated with family and togetherness

4. Biological Factors • Mouth: acts in chewing and swallowing, the act of chewing tells the body that it is getting fed and reduces hunger • Stomach: contractions and growls of our stomach signal to the body that we are hungry • Hypothalamus: our blood sugar level is communicated to this part of our brain, and therefore tells the brain when we are hungry • Lateral Hypothalamus: start-eating center • Ventromedial Hypothalamus: stop-eating center

5. Psychological Factors • Eating is often a social activity and the presence of other people may influence the amount you eat • Food is often associated with comfort • People often eat as a way to relieve stress • Using food as a reward can lead to dietary problems in the future

6. Obesity • Obese: is the condition of weighing more than 30% greater than one’s recommended weight • 6 in 10 adult Americans are overweight, 3 in 10 are obese • Obesity is associated with greater health problems, such as: diabetes and heart disease

7. Causes of Obesity • Biological Factors (genetics): • Some people may not receive the signal to stop eating • Some people have more fat cells • How fast one metabolizes food • Women tend to have more fat • Psychological Factors: • Being raised in an environment where unhealthy food is plentiful and overeating is encouraged • Being under stress or emotional upheaval • Social situations • Boredom

8. Weight Control • Losing weight is a lifestyle change, people need to begin making the choice to eat healthier foods versus fatty ones • Adolescents should be weary of dieting because adolescents need a lot of nutrition • People who lose weight tend to have a boost in self-confidence • People who are supported by friends and family are most likely to lose weight and keep it off

9. Plan of Action • In small groups work together on an action plan to increase health and fitness in Arlington Public Schools, your plan should be realistic and should be able to be implemented • Your plan should be geared to elementary, middle, and high schools • Can be individual plans for each age group • Focus on what motivates each age group and how that motivation can be used to further healthy choices