1. 5.02V Junk Science and Our Food
Not everything we read or see on television or the Internet is good science. In fact, there is a lot of just plain JUNK around. A lot of that junk is related to what we eat, or our diets.
5.02U Junk Science

2. Guidelines for selecting food
Long before the discovery of vitamins and minerals, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its first dietary recommendations in 1894.
In 1916, the first food guide, called “Food For Young Children” was published. The author, Caroline Hunt, who was also a nutritionist, divided food into 5 groups: milk and meat, cereals, vegetables and fruits, fats and fatty foods, and sugars and sugary foods.
Today we have the Internet, where there is a lot of information about foods and diets. Not all of that information on the Internet is good information on which to base what we eat.
5.02U Junk Science

3. Diet
Webster says:
Diet is the food and drink regularly provided or consumed
Diet is the kind and amount of food prescribed for a special reason
Definitions of diet provided by the dictionary. We will be examining diet claims to determine if they are valid or “just junk”.
5.02U Junk Science

4. Top Fad Diets in 2009 5.02U Junk Science
This chart shows the top 10 daily online searches for diets on Google during Unfortunately there are a lot of misleading claims about diets on the Internet.
5.02U Junk Science

5. provides timely and objective food and nutrition information for consumers, and health professionals.
The American Dietetics Association (ADA) is a premiere source for information about diets and food intake. It provides timely and objective information. The ADA is a credible source of information for consumers and health professionals.
Ask students what ads they have seen that have health claims. Ask them to bring them to class to share with other students.
Stop the PowerPoint at this time. The last slides will be used later.
5.02U Junk Science

6. Red Flags for Junk Science
Recommendations that promise a quick fix
Dire warnings of danger from a single product or regiment
Claims that sound too good to be true
When seeking information about food and diets people need to be able to distinguish between credible and factual information and the junk science. These are the warning signs of junk science.
5.02U Junk Science

7. Red Flags for Junk Science
Simplistic conclusions drawn from a complex study
Recommendations based on a single study
Dramatic statements that are refuted by reputable scientific organizations
5.02U Junk Science

8. Red Flags for Junk Science
Lists of “good” and “bad” foods
Recommendations made to help sell a product
Recommendations based on studies published without peer review
Recommendations from studies that ignore differences among individuals or groups
5.02U Junk Science

9. Use media to find: Food supplement and diet advertisements
Determine if the claims raise a red flag
Make a copy of the ad
What statements raise a red flag for you?
Why would you disregard the claim?
Have students work as a group or independently in class or assign as homework.
5.02U Junk Science