As it is commonly known, Nutrition plays a fundamental role in maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, so for our Health Competency Seminar, our group has chosen to explore the topic of Nutrition and Its Role in Active Health because of its direct connection to physical performance, overall well-being, and quality of life. Proper nutrition supports individuals in their daily activities, whether they are athletes, casual exercisers, or simply trying to lead a healthier life. This topic is particularly relevant because many people struggle to understand how to properly fuel their bodies, and there is often conflicting information about what constitutes a healthy diet. Through our seminar, we aim to provide practical, science based knowledge to help our peers make informed choices that support their health and physical activity.
One of the key reasons we selected this topic is its strong connection to the broader themes of Active Health, including physical literacy, healthy and active living, social and community health, and mental well-being. Physical literacy, which involves having the knowledge and skills to engage in physical activity effectively, is closely linked to nutrition. Understanding the role of macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats enables individuals to fuel their bodies properly for different types of physical activity, leading to more enjoyable exercise. Additionally, healthy and active living depends heavily on proper nutrition, as a well-balanced diet supports sustained energy, muscle recovery, and overall physical performance, which, personally, for me, I started following strictly when I was in hockey season.
Another key reason we selected this topic was to do with my groupmates’ histories in physical health and sports. Gaetz Maya, and I all played sports at a competitive level, and at some points, we were all trying to educate ourselves on nutrition, asking questions like what foods are good to eat when, and what foods should be avoided completely at times.
To make our seminar engaging and interactive, we have talked about incorporating a variety of learning activities that encourage active participation. As an example, we have talked about facilitating a class discussion, where students will be encouraged to reflect on their current eating habits and share common struggles they face when trying to maintain a healthy diet. This will help create an open dialogue and allow for a more personalized learning experience. Additionally, we have talked about including a group activity, such as a “Build Your Ideal Meal” exercise, where participants will work in teams to design a balanced meal plan based on different dietary needs and activity levels. This will hopefully reinforce the concept of meal planning and educate everyone about nutrition.
