Educational Media Reviews Online

If someone told me that I was going to have to review an educational video on lifestyle diseases for young adults I would have thought that it would need to be a video that was short, to the point, and contained real testimonials from other young adults. Today’s young adult learners tend to want their information bottom lined and they are generally more comfortable hearing the dos and don’ts of life from someone who’s close to their age and can relate to them. That’s what I found in Human Relations Media’s Lifestyle Diseases and How to Avoid Them. The narrators are young adults and present the information in an articulate and easy to understand way. The video presents the viewer with straightforward information that a young person can understand. As a person who has worked with teens and young adults, I can honestly say that this is a great resource educators can use for health and wellness, science, physical education and social studies.

The lifestyle dangers addressed are smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, stress, and sleep deprivation. Each of the issues addressed in the video are clearly explained. Thought provoking examples of the consequences for the behaviors that lead to these diseases are presented. Statistics and testimonials from young adults are provided all throughout the video with the participants offering confessions as to how much they regret the choices they made.

One of the other educational qualities I found in this video is the ease in which it can be used by non-professionals. Lifestyle Diseases can be an excellent resource for parents to use if and when they decide to address this issue with their young ones. Talking to teens about the dangers of alcohol and tobacco use is a sensitive issue and can sometimes be difficult for parents to discuss with their children. The situation becomes even more complicated if the parent or guardian smokes and drinks themselves, especially if the young person has witnessed them doing it. I can remember my own mother, who smoked and drank, telling me: “Do as I say, not as I do.” Although this was so ironic, I knew she was right and I knew her intent was to stop the vicious cycle. If a resource like Lifestyle Diseases were available to her back then, I’m certain it would have been required viewing for me.

As a librarian and qualified educator, I must make mention of the Teacher’s Resource Book that accompanies the DVD. There are a multitude of student activities that teachers can use to incorporate into a unit of study. The lessons are designed to encourage students to think beyond the classroom. Opportunities for young people to do research are abundant. Students are challenged to question the choices they make and the reasons they may make those choices. Government resources like The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Department of Agriculture are referenced. This is an important information literacy component that gives young adults exposure to reliable online resources.