References

= References =

Anderson in his article suggest that project based learning is more successful when integrated when using an interdisciplinary approach. Students learn better when they can see how what they are learning crosses disciplines. It shows students how what they are learning about in one class involves and sometimes even requires knowledge from other disciplines. This approach helps students to see the relevance of all courses. This article is relevant to my school setting in that I teach computer technology courses and often students need to see how they can use what they are learning across content areas. It is relevant to our project in that we all teach different subject areas and this shows how you can integrate disciplines and still have learning success.
 * Anderson, J. (2010). Interdisciplinary Project-Based Learning Leads to Success. Tech Directions, 70(4), 20-21. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.**

**Anonymous,. Childhood Obesity Underreported by Parents. (2011). Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 82(1), 3. Retrieved April 10, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 2251162711).** In an age where everything is reported through numerous social media networks, and parents are very concerned about the quality of education their children are getting academically, there is not as much being communicated in the number of children that are categorized as obese. Studies are showing that parents are not as educated about obesity and its effects on children’s physical and emotional development.

**Anonymous,. Childhood Obesity Shows Unexpected Trend. (2011). Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 82(2), 3. Retrieved April 10, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 2272265671).**

This study deals with three ethnic groups of children. It is generally accepted that the more active a child or ethnic group of children are, the percent of children considered obese will be less. Out of three ethic groups; Black, Mexican American, and Caucasian; Caucasian are the least active but also have a lower percent of obesity.

**Bell, J., Rogers, V., Dietz, W., Ogden, C., Schuler, C., & Popovic, T.. (2011, January). CDC Grand Rounds: Childhood Obesity in the United States. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 60(2), 42-46. Retrieved April 10, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 2251358701).** This study compares the different health complications that are prevalent when children are not taught the importance of making healthy choices in their diets. Each parent has the responsibility of helping their children develop proper lifestyle choices regarding their health. Adults that are obese have a higher rate of type 2 diabetes and children with obese parents usually develop the same cycle of being overweight and are at a higher risk for cancer.

In this article Bell discusses her belief that project based learning teaches students 21st Century skills. Bell also believes this type of instruction and learning helps to provide students with a real world connection. Students are able to see the relevance in what they learn through these types of projects. Bell, also states that this type of learning helps to produce global citizens who are able to problem solve and work collaboratively. This is relevant for our project in that we want our students to be engaged in 21st century learning skills. Students should learn to communicate and collaborate as global citizens and we are allowing them to do just that through our project, because one member has a non-English speaking class outside of the country.
 * Bell, S. (2010). Project-Based Learning for the 21st Century: Skills for the Future. Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 83(2), 39-43. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.**

In this article the CB online staff describe the risk of being overweight or obese and a The “Eat Healthy” educational campaign of Triple S company to combat the problem of obesity in Puerto Rico using a good nutrition as tool for it. This newspaper article shows students an alternative to fight with the obesity problem that takes place in PR. Also, they could get ideas about how they can inform others about the problem and ideas to share with their classmates.
 * Carribean Bussiness of PR online staff. (2011). Campaign takes aim at obesity in PR. Retrieve from**
 * http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/news03.php?nt_id=55725&ct_id=1**

The 8th chapter of this book describes how to assess project based learning. Debski talks of assessing students throughout the process of a project, not just at the end. The author believes that assessment doesn’t always have to be done by the teacher, it could done by other students, through checklists, or even journals. Debski also believes that the parts of the process themselves should make up a higher percentage of the project. This resource helps us to learn ways in which to assess student learning throughout the project. This gives us ideas of how to guide students the through the project in a step by step manner.
 * Debski, R. (2006). Project-based language teaching with technology. Sydney: National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research.**

In this site we can find different articles with information related with Overweight and obesity from definitions, causes, consequences, statistics and much more information about this theme. In this site the students can navigate and find all the information related with the theme. They can see how organize all the information and choose the most important to share with their classmates.
 * Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2011). Overweight and Obesity. Retrieve from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/index.html**

This study helps to prove that project based learning has even a positive impact for student with learning difficulties. The study proves that students with learning difficulties show growth in academic achievement when engaged in project based learning. The students also are more engaged in the lesson and feel more positive about learning. In addition, students feel more comfortable working in groups after project based learning. This article is relevant to our project and school setting in that we all teach students of various learning styles and difficulties. This article proves that project based learning is can be used successfully even with our students who have learning disabilities.
 * Filippatou, D., & Kaldi, S. (2010). The Effectiveness of Project-Based Learning on Pupils with Learning Difficulties Regarding Academic Performance, Group Work and Motivation. International Journal of Special Education, 25(1), 17-26.**

The purpose of this study was to explore whether the obesity factors are related to regional obesity prevalence. A mixed methods approach was employed using historical data from the U.S. Census Report, the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, and cultural food data from the Smithsonian Institute. For quantitative analysis, an ANOVA examined the mean differences related to the factors among regions. Pearson's correlation was used to determine the relationship between the factors and obesity. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify the most significant factor. Qualitative data were categorized, coded, and analyzed to determine their significance to obesity prevalence. Results suggest that independently, the factors of genetics, behavior and SES were significant predictors of obesity prevalence; culture was identified as the strongest predictor. This study provides an agenda for positive social change by identifying factors that contribute to regional obesity prevalence, thereby providing guidance to help lower obesity prevalence in the United States. The factors presented in this study help students to understand their own factors and determine their possibilities to fight with this help problem. The result give them opportunities to compare their own factors and find how prevent further spread of the problem.
 * Fisher, D.. An inquiry to explore significant regional obesity prevalence factors in the United States. Ph.D. dissertation, Walden University, United States -- Minnesota. Retrieved April 7, 2011, from Dissertations & Theses @ Walden University.(Publication No. AAT 3397648).**

This study compares 8th grade History class that used project based learning to one that did not. The study shows that the group that used project based learning show growth in student achievement and critical thinking skills compared to the traditional classroom students. Also, the students who used project based learning showed more of a positive attitude toward learning and were more engaged in the lesson. This article is relevant in that it reemphasizes the importance that all students should have an engaging learning environment. It reminds us that this instructional type can be meaningful and positive for students.
 * Hernandez-Ramos, P., & De La Paz, S. (2009). Learning History in Middle School by Designing Multimedia in a Project-Based Learning Experience. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 42(2), 151-173. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.**

Statehealthfacts.org is a project of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and is designed to providing free, up-to-date, and easy-to- use health data for all U.S. 50 states and its territories. The data presented here is the percent of adults who are overweight or obese in Puerto Rico and also compared the percents with 50 states in United States. With the data found in this site, the students can understand the problem and see it as a whole world problem and understand how they can provide solutions and help not just their country, but the whole world. They can understand that some solutions could be for all but others, could be for their poblation.
 * The Kaiser Family Foundation statehealthfacts.org. (2009). Puerto Rico: Obesity. Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, 2009, unpublished data. Information about the BRFSS is availableathttp://www.cdc.gov/brfss/index.htm." retrieve from http://www.statehealthfacts.org/profileind.jsp?cat=2⊂=26&rgn=55**

This study shows how students involved in project based learning demonstrate higher levels of knowledge construction. While involved in project based learning students are able to perform more higher order thinking activities than in more traditional activities. Students are involved in problem solving and critical thinking tasks that they might not otherwise be exposed to. This study is relevant to our project in that in reminds us to provide our students with opportunities to use higher order thinking skills.
 * Koh, J., Herring, S. C., & Hew, K. (2010). Project-Based Learning and Student Knowledge Construction during Asynchronous Online Discussion. Internet and Higher Education, 13(4), 284-291.**

In this article the authors discuss seven essential requirements for project based learning. The first requirement is “a need to know.” Essentially create a desire for students to what to learn about a topic. Create this in such a way that it draws students into the learning process. A second requirement is “a driving question” that is open ended. This question to could be a question that leads to research and problem solving. The third requirement is “student voice and choice.” It is important to give students options in how they display their learning as long as it meets the criteria for success for that topic. A fourth requirement is that the project involve 21st Century skills, to include “collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.” Another requirement is that students receive feedback on what they are doing that is descriptive and that they have the opportunity to revise based on that feedback. The feedback and revision are a large part of the learning process. The authors also suggest that project based learning include inquiry and innovation and a project that is presented publicly. This article is relevant in that it provides the guidelines to help us as we construct a successful project based learning opportunity for our students. The requirements are essential to having a project that is relevant and rigorous.
 * Larmer, J., & Mergendoller, J. R. (2010). 7 Essentials for Project-Based Learning. Educational Leadership, 68(1), 34-37. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.**

** Maher, J., Fraser, S., & Lindsay, J.. (2010). Between provisioning and consuming?: Children, mothers and 'childhood obesity'. Health Sociology Review, 19(3), 304-316. Retrieved April 10, 2011, from ProQuest ** Nursing & Allied Health Source. (Document ID: 2236922191). This review discusses the link between children and their diets and the impact that their family lifestyle has on their views around eating and physical activities in relationship to obesity. Mothers especially play a huge role in the health of the family from a nutritional standpoint.

This book is a synthesis of all the factors that have been identified and associated with childhood overweight and obesity. This is an analysis of the situation faced by children of school age and proposed solutions to childhood obesity. The information and the analysis will help students to choose the best personal solution to overweight or obesity problems. Also, with the schools’ situations presented in this book, the students can identify themselves in each personal scenario and find possible solutions.
 * Melendez, G. (2008). Factores asociados con sobrepeso y obesidad en el ambiente escolar / Associated Factors with Overweight and Obesity in the School Environment. Madrid,España Médica Panamericana.**

** Obesity; More Than $210,000 in Grants Awarded to Schools and Community Groups to Help Fight Childhood Obesity. (2011, February). Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week,385. Retrieved April 10, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 2267699961 ** ). Childhood obesity has caused schools and community groups to create organizations to petition the government of other civic groups to contribute financially to schools and community groups to fight the obesity epidemic in young children.

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which activity level may mediate a relationship between at-home self-care and childhood obesity. Participants completed a structured activity journal to record daily after-school activities for one week's time. A series of three regression models was estimated to examine the hypothesized relationships among the following variables: time spent unsupervised, activity level, and BMI percentile. The results of these analyses suggested that relationships among these variables do not exist. This study will help the student analyze the most important factors that influence in the obesity problem. They will generated conclusions when compare this study results with other studies and literature that worked with obesity factors.
 * Richards, S.. Exploring obesity and after-school supervision with adolescents in rural West Virginia. Psy.D. dissertation, Marshall University, United States -- West Virginia. Retrieved from Dissertations & Theses: Full Text.(Publication No. AAT 3413186).**

**Seeman, N.. (2011). Move If U Wanna: Obama and the weight loss nudge. Canadian Medical Association. Journal, 183(1), 152. Retrieved April 10, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 2239773691).** First Lady Michelle Obama leads a nationwide move to reduce the obesity epidemic in children by encouraging parents to prepare more fresh vegetables in their diets. Moving with dance and exercise is equally important to children. The strategy of using proper diet and exercise and reducing the number of hours of watching television or computer screens by children affords them more time to be involved in physical activities that promote stronger and fit bodies.

**Silink, M.. (2010). Book: The challenge of childhood obesity and diabetes. The Lancet, 375(9733), 2211. Retrieved April 10, 2011, from Research Library.** **(Document ID: 2068908821).** Childhood obesity has become an epidemic and cuts across all socio-economic boundaries. Minorities are affected with higher obesity rates and have the higher probability of their children being obese because of unhealthy eating habits. This book “challenge of childhood obesity and diabetes” tasks health professionals to explore alternative measures to curb the increase in children being diagnosed with diabetes which is a disease that has a direct link to poor eating habits, and lack of exercise.

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, with a focus on the essential role of political will, in the development of meaningful prevention initiatives for childhood obesity. This Puerto Rican study will help students understand some government initiatives to fight with the obesity causes and consequences. This study helps them understand the importance of the intervention of them as part of society to find solutions to the problem.
 * Zevallos, J.C. (2008). Community-based Participatory Research in Diabetes in Carolina**
 * ¡Nuestra Comunidad, Nuestra Salud! (Our Community, Our Health!).**
 * Endowed health services research center. University of Puerto Rico. Medical Science campus. School of Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.md.rcm.upr.edu/ehsrc/News-Events.php**