Preventing Chronic Diseases: Impact on Cardiovascular Health

Introduction

Welcome to the "Preventing Chronic Diseases: Impact on Cardiovascular Health" WebQuest! Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, but many of these conditions can be prevented through lifestyle choices and awareness. Understanding how to prevent chronic diseases, particularly those affecting cardiovascular health, is crucial for maintaining a healthy life. In this WebQuest, you will explore the factors that contribute to cardiovascular health and learn how to prevent chronic diseases through informed choices. You will work in groups to complete three tasks, using digital tools and multimedia resources to enhance your learning experience.

Task

By the end of this WebQuest, students will be able to:

  1. Identify  the main types of cardiovascular diseases, their risk factors and their impact on individuals and communities.

  2. Research and document scientific information using reliable sources to a collaborative e-magazine in Book Creator.

  3. Apply digital skills to design multimedia content (texts, images, diagrams) that communicates health concepts effectively.

  4. Collaborate and communicate by working in teams, sharing knowledge and presenting their e-magazine in a classroom setting.

  5. Reflect critically on how the Mediterranean Diet in preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Process

Task 1: Understanding Cardiovascular Diseases

https://youtu.be/7HhCl6YWKa8?si=7IpWFFLoVqO0KZvp

Video summary here

Discuss in your classroom what you know about cardiovascular diseases and why they are a significant public health issue.

 

Task 2: Research and Documentation

You are invited to collaborate to an e-magazine edited to bookcreator app on researching key aspects of cardiovascular diseases:

https://app.bookcreator.com/l/-O2ytdR6mAiwPzoQEh8d?c=ZT6NRBH

Be careful to include:

  • What cardiovascular diseases are (e.g., heart attack, stroke, hypertension).
  • Major risk factors, including lifestyle choices (e.g., diet, physical activity, smoking).
  • The impact of cardiovascular diseases on individuals and communities.
  • How the Mediterranean Diet prevents cardiovascular diseases.

Each group member should contribute by adding information, images, or diagrams that help explain the topic.

 

Useful links:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8315386/

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-%28cvds%29

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29678447/

 

Task 3: Presentation

Present your e-magazine in the classroom and have a discussion on the impact of Mediterranean Diet on Cardiovascular Health. 

Evaluation
Criteria 1 - Beginning 2 - Developing 3 - Proficient 4 - Accomplished 5 - Exemplary
Identification of CVD Types and Risk Factors Identifies few or incorrect types of CVD and risk factors; limited understanding of impact Identifies some types and risk factors with partial understanding of impact Identifies main types and risk factors with basic understanding of impact Clearly identifies types, risk factors, and explains impact on individuals and communities Thoroughly identifies all relevant types, risk factors, and provides detailed explanation of impact on individuals and communities
Research and Documentation Quality Uses few or unreliable sources; information is incomplete or inaccurate Uses some reliable sources; information is somewhat accurate but lacks detail Uses reliable sources with accurate, relevant information Uses multiple reliable sources; information is detailed and well-documented Uses a wide range of highly reliable sources; information is comprehensive, accurate, and well-cited
Digital Skills and Multimedia Content Design Limited or ineffective use of digital tools; multimedia content lacks clarity or relevance Basic use of digital tools; multimedia content somewhat supports health concepts Adequate use of digital tools; multimedia content clearly supports health concepts Effective use of digital tools; multimedia content enhances communication of health concepts Innovative and skillful use of digital tools; multimedia content is engaging, clear, and enhances understanding significantly
Collaboration and Communication Minimal participation in group work; limited sharing or communication Participates in group work but communication and collaboration are inconsistent Works well with group; shares knowledge and communicates adequately Actively collaborates and communicates; contributes to a positive team dynamic Leads collaboration and communication; fosters inclusive discussion and effective teamwork
Critical Reflection on Mediterranean Diet Reflection is vague or missing; limited connection to cardiovascular disease prevention Reflection makes basic connection to Mediterranean Diet and cardiovascular disease Reflection explains how Mediterranean Diet helps prevent cardiovascular disease Thoughtful reflection with clear examples of Mediterranean Diet’s impact on cardiovascular health Insightful and critical reflection; integrates scientific evidence and personal insights on Mediterranean Diet and cardiovascular disease prevention
Conclusion

Through this WebQuest, students will have gained a deeper understanding of cardiovascular diseases, their risk factors and their impact on individuals and communities. They will have strengthened their scientific knowledge and digital competence by researching and documenting findings in a collaborative e-magazine, while also improving their ability to communicate health concepts in clear and creative ways. By working as a team, they will have developed collaboration and presentation skills and by reflecting on lifestyle choices- especially the Mediterranean Diet- they will have recognized how informed decisions can prevent chronic diseases and promote cardiovascular health. Ultimately, students will have gained valuable knowledge and transferable skills that support both healthier living and their future professional paths.

Credits
Teacher Page

This WebQuest was edited by teachers of Gymnázium Cyrila Daxnera vo Vranove nad Topľou (Slovakia) and a teacher from 1st EPAL Nafpaktou as part of the activities of the "Mediterranean Diet for Overall Health" (MedDiet4Health) Erasmus+ project (Project number: 2023-2-EL01-KA210-VET-000183592).

By engaging in this WebQuest, students will gain not only theoretical knowledge about cardiovascular diseases, their risk factors, and the protective role of the Mediterranean Diet, but also practical skills that are vital for their future careers in food technology, health, nutrition, and related fields. They will develop research and documentation skills by creating a collaborative e-magazine, enhance their digital competence through the use of online tools, and strengthen their communication and teamwork abilities by sharing and presenting their findings. At the same time, they will practice critical thinking and reflection on how lifestyle choices influence health, preparing them to connect scientific knowledge with real-world professional contexts.

This WebQuest reflects only the author’s views. The European Commission’s support for the production of this WebQuest does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.