Body Challenges and Opportunities

The book is ideal for middle school students and is presented as a discussion on the increase in the number of overweight children in many countries, how this causes many health and social problems and is likely to increase public health spending in the future

The book highlights how a healthy person has all their body systems working well and can carry their everyday physical and mental activities without feeling fatigued or sick

The book explores how our bodies can be divided into a number of systems that work together. These are the digestive system which helps to break down food. The respiratory system which helps to breath, deliver oxygen to the body and take away carbon dioxide. The circulatory system helps to transport materials throughout the whole body. The skeletal system holds the body up, helps the body to move and protects important parts such as the brain, the heart and lungs. The muscular system helps the body to move. And the nervous system helps all parts of the body to communicate.

Cells obtain energy from food. Energy in food comes out of three sources in food: carbohydrates, fat and protein. These can be changed into glucose when the body needs it. The cells break down the glucose to get the energy they use, water and carbon dioxide are released in the process.

Finally the book explores how middle school students can prevent being overweight. How they can identify and reverse the conditions for those already overweight.