THEME: THE IMPACT OF EXERCISE AND HEALTHY EATING HABITS ON MENTAL HEALTH

The impact of exercise and healthy eating habits on mental health is a central topic in I3 in physical education for grade 8:

• "Fun and diverse physical education activities evoke positive emotions that, in turn, strengthen students' sense of competence and their positive self-image. During the lessons, students receive information on the importance of exercise for development, the principles of training, the possibilities of engaging in exercise as a hobby, and the characteristics of different forms of physical activities."

The goals related to I3 in physical education for grade 8 are:

• M12 to help the student understand the significance of sufficient physical activity and an active lifestyle for overall well-being
• M13 to familiarize the student with various exercise opportunities and to equip the student with knowledge and skills related to common forms of exercise, enabling them to find their own suitable activities that provide joy and recreation

K1: "It's important to learn to listen to oneself and to others, to see things from other perspectives, and to find alternative and creative solutions. Students need encouragement to confront and manage unclear and conflicting information."

K3: "Students should be guided and encouraged to take responsibility for themselves, for others, and for everyday life. [...] During basic education, students should practice making sustainable choices and adopting a sustainable lifestyle."

Exercise and Healthy Eating Habits Impact on Mental Health is included in the core content I2 in health education for grade 8:

• "The content is selected to deepen knowledge and understanding of resources that support health and factors that prevent diseases. In the context of habits affecting health, daily rhythm, sleep, diet, and exercise are discussed. [...] As health-promoting resources, mental health, environments and communities supporting well-being, and meaningful leisure activities are examined."

The objectives related to I2 in health education for grade 8 are:

• M1 guide the student to understand the broad concept of health and to promote health as well as the human life course, growth, and development from a resource perspective
• M5 guide the student to deepen their understanding of physical, mental, and social health, factors and mechanisms that strengthen and threaten health, and support the student's ability to use related concepts correctly
• M6 support the student to search for and use information about health and diseases and promote the student's ability to act purposefully in situations relating to health, safety, and diseases
• M7 guide the student to recognize and evaluate their own habits, choices, and motivations related to health and safety, and encourage the student to reflect on resources relevant to their own health
• M11 guide the student to understand and assess perceptions of health in their own family and immediate environment, to understand their significance for oneself, and to create an understanding of how they learn best

K1: "It's important to learn to listen to yourself and others, to see things from different perspectives, and to find alternative and creative solutions. Students need encouragement to face and handle unclear and conflicting information."

K3: "Students should be guided and encouraged to take responsibility for themselves, others, and everyday life. [...] During basic education, students should practice making sustainable choices and adopting a sustainable lifestyle."

K4: "Students should primarily develop analytical, critical, and cultural literacy."

K5: "Students should learn to search for and produce information and to use information sources in a versatile way as a basis for investigative and creative work. At the same time, they should practice being critical of sources and learn to evaluate their own and others' ways of working and producing information, as well as how different search services and databases function and produce information."

K7: "Students should learn to evaluate both their own and the group's and society's ways of operating and structures, and correct them to promote sustainable well-being."

The Impact of Exercise and Healthy Eating Habits on Mental Health is part of the core content I1 in home economics for grade 8:

• "By planning and preparing meals and trying out different dining situations, students should learn to reflect on choices and habits related to food and eating based on reliable information about nutrition recommendations, food safety, the food chain, food knowledge, as well as economics and ethics."

The objectives related to I1 in home economics for grade 8 are:

• M3 guide and encourage the student to choose and use materials, tools, appliances, and digital tools with regard to well-being and sustainable consumption

K3: "Students should be guided and encouraged to take responsibility for themselves, for others, and for daily life. [...] During basic education, students should practice making sustainable choices and adopting a sustainable lifestyle."

K4: "Students should primarily develop skills in analytical, critical, and cultural literacy."

K5: "Students should learn to search for and produce information and use information sources in a versatile way as a foundation for investigative and creative work. At the same time, they should practice being critical of sources and learn to evaluate their own and others' methods of working and producing information, as well as understanding how different search services and databases work and generate information."

K7: "Students should learn to assess their own, the group's, and society's methods and structures of operation and adjust them to promote sustainable well-being."