Success StoryWhat Really Energizes Youth?
What Really Energizes Youth?
Author: Staci Thrasher
Planning Unit: Fleming County CES
Major Program: Health
Plan of Work: Nutrition/Health/Wellness
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Research suggests that high consumption of Energy Drinks can lead to an over consumption of sugar ultimately leading to potential issues with obesity. Through a collaboration between the Fleming County 4-H program and the Simons Middle School JAG program and the Fleming County High School Health & PE Classes students embarked on an adventure to learn how much sugar was in their favorite energy drinks. Simons Middle School 7th grade students learned to convert labels to teaspoons and measure out how much sugar is in their favorite and most popular energy drinks. This have the students a visual representation of how much sugar they consume with each drink versus the recommended amount of sugar per day. Fleming County High School Students took the project one step further to not only measure the amount of sugar but to also research energy drink ingredients and their side effects. Students applied their research in a project format of a hydrated vs dehydrated student that is experiencing negative energy drink side effects.
After completion of the program 72% of students stated "they should reduce their energy drink intake" and 80% of students stated "they didn't realize the potential negative side effects of energy drinks prior to the lesson". The program wrapped with students discussing healthier alternatives and ways they could easily make the switch from energy drinks to water.
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