Rationale
- Current statistics show that about 15% of children in the US are
overweight or obese, a number that has risen in the last 30 years
- Diabetes in Americans has grown by 15% in the last two years
alone, mainly type 2, which is a preventable condition brought on by
obesity
- Half of all Americans are physically inactive
- Obesity is a factor in at least 300,000 US deaths every year
- Obesity is a major risk-factor for Cancer
- Overweight or Obesity in youth increases the risk of obesity in
adulthood
- Active people are more likely to live longer than inactive people
- Making healthy food choices can positivly influence both energy
and mood
- An active lifestyle can increase immuinty
- Growing your own fruits and vegetables can contribute to an
overall healthier family
Website Evaluation
Accuracy
and Authority
US Department of Health and Human
Resources and the Executive Office of the Preseident are noted as the
authors of the web site. As a government agency, such authors proport
to have the best
interest of the American population in mind. Of course, government
agencies can be subject to political tainting, but in general,
government agencies do strive to remain objective and to help maintain
a good quality if life for the citizens of the U.S.A.
Object and
Contend Relevance
The content of the site is relevant to the theme in that it focuses on
the whole health of a person, including healthy eating habits,
and healthy activities. It provides clear and full coverage for being Physically Active,
Eating Right, Preventative
Screenings and the Avoidance of
Unhealthy Habits.
Currency
and Coverage
The program was just launched in the last year by the first lady. It
summarizes the 2007 tour that promoted the initiative, so it is current
within the last year, though there are no dates reflecting more recent
updates, one will assume currency within a year is sufficient for such
information, as a healthy lifestyle is a healthy lifestyle the world
around.
Design and
Navigation
The program is simple and easy to navagate, with large graphic links at
the top to lead to whichever element of a healthy lifestyle one would
want to research. Under each of the four sub headings is information
with links to other helpful tips, which helps to group similarly
helpful sites together in a categorically user-friendly manner.
Additional
Resources
Additional resources is actually what the page is all about. It helps
guide the user to other links specifically designated for promoting
certain elements of a healthy lifestyle. The main page links to the Small Steps for
Kids, which is a flash and graphics site designed especially to
inform kids of fun facts on all the elements of a healthy lifestyle.
Under Preventative Screenings, there is a link to a government web site
called My Family Health
Portrait, which allows the user to create a personalized healthy
lifestyle plan for their household, self or family.