Assignment Topic: Energy Drinks and Supplements

Rationale: Consumption of food and drinks - specifically the types that contain high concentrations of sugars, salts and fats - has been in the public eye for many years. Researchers in the medical field are very concerned with the growing incidence of diabetes and obesity in this country, so much so that it is hard not to find an article daily in the newspaper, on TV, or on the internet about this. The correlation of lifestyle choices and nutrition choices also sparked a social debate about who should be in charge of, or responsible for, the decision-making regarding these personal choices. We want you to look at this topic from a health and safety perspective.

Objectives:

• Student will be able to analyze the topics of energy drinks and caffeine and make inferences about their effects on one’s health.
• Student will be able to conduct and interpret research on energy drinks and describe the health effects of them on the body.
• Student will be able to work collaboratively with peers to gather data on the consumption of energy drinks among the teen population, and then organize the information to make inferences and identify patterns within the data. 

Standards:

• 2.3.12.ATD.1: Examine the influences of drug use and misuse on an individual’s social, emotional and mental wellness. 
• 2.3.12.ATD.2: Compare and contrast the incidence and impact of commonly abused substances on individuals and communities in the United States and other countries (e.g., tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping products, alcohol, marijuana products, inhalants, anabolic steroids, other drugs). 
• 2.3.12.DSDT.2: Analyze personal choices and behaviors related to substance use and misuse to determine if they align with personal values and beliefs. 

Directions: 

Part 1

Read the attached article (click here for the article) on energy drinks and collect your thoughts. Then, conduct research on energy drinks/supplements. In a 1-page essay, describe the health effects of energy drinks (i.e., Redbull, Monster, Bang, etc.) on children and young athletes.

Part 2

Interview 10 classmates (try to use as diverse a population as possible!) and find out if they use any supplements or drink energy drinks. Ask them why they use that supplement or energy drink. Create a graphic organizer with three columns – students' initials (no names), student’s gender, and student’s responses. Review and consider your research and the responses of your peers. What conclusions and inferences can you make? Are there any patterns or observations from your short survey that you can identify? What reasons might be suggested for the pattern? 

Part 3

Select one additional sport or diet supplement (i.e., whey protein, creatine, beta Alanine, etc.) and research this product. You will include in the report: the name of the product, its advertised or reported effects, and then the actual effects on the body and to a person’s health (both short and long term). Include information such as: how much the product costs, how it is marketed, where it is purchased, etc. Lastly, include the answer to the following: what government regulatory agency is responsible for overview or approval of health supplements and sports drinks? Provide a list of your references or resources.

Grading: Your assignment will be evaluated on the following:

• Completion of all assignment requirements.
• Use of accurate and up-to-date information.
• Creativity – formatting, aesthetic, and design.
• Submission of the assignment to your teacher’s email by Friday of the week assigned.

Based on the above items, your grade will be placed in the gradebook in lieu of your “participation” for the week.