EDUCATIONAL vention. Unfortunately, the quality of the film print IS poor, possibly due to the transcnption process.
PAMPHLET Building a Better Diet, USDA, 1979. From Food and NutritIOn Service, USDA, Washington, DC 20250, 16 pp., program aid No. 1241, smgle copy free. Brief and to the pomt, this artfully desIgned pamphlet presents clear descriptIons of the Five Food Groups and summarizes some facts about salt, fat, sugar, and snacks m the diet. It lacks any mention of alcohol. Although written for food stamp users, this excellent informational pIece IS useful to all, ages 10 and older. COMIC BOOK Food Comics, Rlfas, L., 1980. From Educomlcs, Box 40246, San Francisco, CA 94140, 34 pp., $1.25. Stones on tOPICS such as agribusiness, megavitamins, pesticides, and sugar fill this comIC, half of it written for youth and the other half for adults. But many readers, especially chIldren, may be more confused than entertaIned or mformed by the author's crusade "to publicize the dangerous consequences" of the present food system. MODELS Fat Reduction in the Diet: A prescription for weight control, Wedman, 8., 1981. From Nasco, 901 Janesville Ave., Ft. Atkmson, WI 53538, fat and food models, 50 plastic cubes, teacher's guide, 7 pp., 5 spirit masters, $59.95. The highlight of this package is the 5-pound blob, about 15" X 6", of "human" fat. The remainmg plastic models represent foods with varying amounts of fat: chIcken, fish, ground beef, bologna, VOLUME 13
NUMBER4
1981
MATERIALS
cheese, and peanut butter. Small yellow cubes, deSIgned to attach into rows, represent grams of fat and might be used to demonstrate the amount of fat in these and other foods. Teachers of weight control will want to conSIder positive means of utilizing the fat model in partIcular so as to awaken patients to health nsks rather than to dimmlsh what mIght already be a shaky self-image. The accompanying pnnt materials are too general to be of much use.
AUDIOVISUAL Foods for Health, University of California Cooperative Extension, 1980. From Visual Media, UnIversity of CalIfornia, DaVIS, CA 95616, 75 slides, audiocassette (inaudible cues), 17 min., script, 16 pp., $37.03. Slow and repetitIous, this self-mstructional program defines the Five Food Groups and covers basic nutrients, foods, and servings in each. It is appropriate for adult audiences who have no background in nutrition. POSITION PAPER The Health Effects of Caffeine, Mosher, B.A., 1981. From American CounCIl on SCIence and Health, 1995 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, full report, 102 pp., $10; summary, 15 pp., $2. Health professionals confronted with questIOns and concerns about caffeme will find this extensive report thorough and well documented. The ACSH concludes that caffeme consumption at the normal amount of less than 300 mg/day, or about 3 cups of brewed coffee, is not a senous health threat; but at levels of 600 mg/day, it may cause health problems. The bulk of the report dIscusses central nervous system, cardiovascular, reproductive, and genetic effects of caffeme. Additional sections explore the possible relationship of caffeine and cancer and present information on consumptIOn, physiological ef-
fects, and regulatory optIons. The synopsis pamphlet highlIghts the points of major interest to the public. LEAFLET Health Style-A self test, U.S. DHHS, 1981. From NatIOnal Health Information Clearinghouse, Box 1133 (CN), Washington, DC 20013, 10 pp., free. This SImple test enables people to IdentIfy aspects of their present lifestyle which may endanger their health. Nutrition IS I of the 6 briefly addressed tOPICS. COOKBOOK I Can Do It! I Can Do It! Cookbook for people with very special needs, Cox, B., 1979. From K & H Publishing Co., 3300 West Pacific Coast HIghway, Suite F, Newport Beach, CA 92663,63 pp., spiralbound, $21.95. ThIS food preparation gUIde for developmentally dIsabled teens and adults contains simple, low-cost recIpes for about I week of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Unfortunately, nutrition receives minimal attentIOn. The author mcludes many convenience items, and the Four Food Groups, although mentIoned briefly, are not used well as a menu planning gUIde. Small, step-by-step photos accompany each recipe but do not serve as complete mstruction. For success with this cookbook the users must have motor coordmatIon and reading ability or must have access to superVIsion. Stephame Turner, M.P.H. Candidate, School of PubliC Health, NutntlOn, Umverslty of Callforma, Berkeley, CA 94720.
VIDEOCASSETTE Nutrition Puppets, 1980. From Audio-VIsual Resource Center, 8 Research Park, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, 19 30-second public service announcements, 2" Highband Quadraplex, $625; v." U-matic, $335; !/2" VHS or Betamax, $250; 2-day preVIew, $12. Mother Hubbard and her dog, or in thIS case Grandma and Puddles, open the cupboard to learn about a vanety of food and nutritIon tOPICS such as snacks, lunch, junk food, protem, and whole grams. After smging and dancing food puppets do their act In front of changing photo backgrounds, the cupboard closes and Grandma and Puddles reflect the essence of each segment in a clever punchline. Although JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION
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