Calls for Change in High School Mathematics Essay Example for Free

Calls for Change in High School Mathematics Essay Mathematic educators, parents and students are calling for proper changes in approaches to learning mathematics in high schools. The need to improve learning of mathematics in schools is highly recognized and underlined. Thus, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics published the Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics that offered recommendations for high school mathematics reform. In addition, the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences in their official report ‘The Mathematical Sciences Curriculum K–12: What Is Still Fundamental and What Is Not’ stresses the importance of new topics and techniques in the secondary schools. New approaches should develop new learning techniques that would be discrete from statistics, mathematics, and emphasis on algebra and geometry should be properly re-assessed according to different abilities and needs of students who are taking mathematics course in the secondary school and high school respectively. The need for change and innovation is generally driven by emergence of advanced computing technologies that offers excellent opportunities for school educators to replace manipulative traditional techniques with more complex realistic problem-solving techniques. In its turn, the National Science Board Commission issued a report ‘Educating Americans for the 21st Century’ challenging courses in algebra and pre-calculus and stressing the importance of developing integrated mathematical sciences curriculum in the secondary school. Researchers argue that new curriculum will positively affect students’ achievement outcomes in the secondary and high schools. To make changes more effective teachers are required to understand the advantage of curriculum’s full scope and its consequences; students are required to support the expectations of classroom environment. The Core-Plus Mathematic Project is newly developed curriculum for high school mathematics. Of course, the Core-Plus Mathematic Project or CPMP curriculum is a matter of debates and controversies as not everyone admits the need of high school mathematics reforms. Nonetheless, the CPMP curriculum is worked out with assistance of mathematics education researchers, instructional specialists and classroom teachers. Moreover, the curriculum is shaped by empirical evidence gathered from students and teachers who are willing to participate in field testing. In particular, organization of mathematics curriculum should be interpreted in terms of teaching and assessment recommendations and should follow the standards set in the above-mentioned reports. New mathematics curriculum is a three-year mathematics course for high-school students who are allowed to take the fourth year to prepare for college mathematics. Newly designed curriculum differs from more traditional approaches as new curriculum encourages students’ understanding of mathematics – statistics, probability, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and discrete mathematics. Learning mathematics is developed in focused units that combine fundamental ideas with mathematical habits of mind. It means that new curriculum stresses the need to connect function, data analysis and symmetry with recursive and visual thinking. In contrast to traditional approaches to mathematics, new curriculum emphasizes the role of mathematical modeling and problem-solving instead of simple calculus. Researchers say the primary goal of curriculum improvement is to enhance students’ understanding and comprehension of key mathematical processes and concepts, to enhance student’s ability to use mathematical concepts in real-world problem-solving. Graphic calculators should enhance students’ understanding and abilities to solve authentic problems. Improved instructional materials encourage active teaching and learning processes that will primarily focus on problem situations, abstraction and analysis. Oral and written communication, reasoning with ability to represent, and conceptual understanding are highly appreciated and encouraged. All courses centre on mathematical reasoning and thinking with abilities to develop formal proof. Additional fourth year course will allow to keep students, who prepare for college mathematics, despite whether their undergraduate program is based on calculus. Students interested in mathematics are encouraged to be accelerated into the fourth course year. Today, many researches are focus on identifying whether new curriculum meets its specific goals. In particular, they try to reveal whether the learning outcomes based on new patterns of mathematics learning process differ from outcomes based on more traditional curriculum. During the past eight years researchers conducted various studies to examine mathematical achievement in classroom with CPMP curricula. Research studies have revealed that performance of CPMP students is much better than that of students with traditional interpretation of mathematical representation. It means that problem-solving and recursive thinking appear to be more effective in learning mathematics than simple understanding of key concepts of processes. Further, CPMP students are characterized by higher grade results at the end of the years than students with traditional approach to mathematics. Summing up, recent researches have indicated that CPMP students perform better than students with traditional curriculum. CPMP students are characterized by better abilities to interpret mathematical representation and calculation, to measure conceptual understanding and to recognize the importance of problem-solving. CPMP students are better in probability and statistics, algebraic manipulative skills, etc. Nonetheless, researchers argue that student’s success in college mathematics doesn’t fully depend on CPMP curriculum. Other factors, as, for example, student’s attentiveness, readiness to participate in learning process, self-awareness, classroom environment, play their important role in student’s high school mathematics performance. With guidance from educators, researchers and teachers, curriculum developers will be able to build on stronger patters of student outcomes. References Schoen, H. L. , Hirsch, Ch. R. (2003). Responding to Calls for Change in High School Mathematics: Implications for Collegiate Mathematics. The Mathematical Association of America Monthly, February, pp. 109-123. Available on-line from http://www. jstor. org/stable/3647770 .

Evaluation Of Mission Statement Business Essay

Evaluation Of Mission Statement Business Essay I used the vision statement matrix and shortcomings to review the vision statement. The components included are directional, focus, feasible, desirable and easy to understand. In shortcoming analysis, there are only 2 matrix involved which are vague and not distinctive. I used the mission statement evaluation matrix to analysis the mission statement. The mission statement got the components such as products/services, market, concern for survival, growth, profitability, philosophy and concern for employees. 2.0 Introduction PepsiCo is an American multinational food and beverage corporation with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products in around 200 countries. PepsiCo offers the worlds largest portfolio of food and beverage brands included 22 different product lines. PepsiCo is the biggest rivalry of Coca-Cola in soft drink industry. I, as a business analyst in PepsiCos Corporate Strategy department, had appointed to review the PepsiCos current vision statement and mission statement. I used the vision statement matrix table and shortcoming matrix of vision statement to review the vision statement of PepsiCo while used the mission statement evaluation matrix to analysis the PepsiCo mission statement. 3.0 Analysis of vision statement Vision statement is concerning a firms future business path such as where we are going. I had used the vision statement matrix to review the PepsiCos vision statement. I used the components such as directional, focus, feasible, desirable and easy to understand to evaluate the vision statement. (refer Appendix 1) In directional component, it is about the direction of PepsiCo target in future. Through viewing the vision statement, PepsiCo wants to become the truly sustainable company by improving the aspects involved and emphasizes on environment management, CSR and commitment to shareholders. By becoming a truly sustainable company, PepsiCo will become a strong and stable company and well known globally. Market expansion will bring opportunities to PepsiCo to extend its products range and lines and thus able to get in many other industries. Besides that, become a sustainable company will get PepsiCo into a more intense competition with competitors such as Coca Cola and other competitors from other industries that PepsiCo took part. For graphic component, it is about the picture that the company that the management trying to create. Well, in the vision statement of PepsiCo, the products portfolios are not mentioned. People are hard to get the picture of what the company wanted to do. Thus, the graphic component is not appeared in the vision statement of PepsiCo. In focus component, it is about whether the vision statement of PepsiCo is specific enough for PepsiCo to focus on actions that PepsiCo want to choose. From the vision statement, PepsiCo focus on environmental stewardship, activities to benefit society and commitment to build shareholder value to become a truly sustainable company. Thus, management of PepsiCo will make decisions based on the 3 actions that PepsiCo focused on. By completing the environmental stewardship, activities to benefit society and commitment to build shareholder value, it will make PepsiCo be environment friendly and gain good reputation with good CSR and fulfillment of commitment to shareholders. Thus, PepsiCo is able to gain the awareness of customers by good CSR and investors by good shareholder value. Well, it may bring opposite effects to PepsiCo if PepsiCo is not doing well of what it emphasizing which are stated in its vision statement. The shareholders might complain about the un-fulfillment of the comm itment to build shareholder value and public might have a bad image toward PepsiCo with poor CSR. In feasible component, it is about whether the company able to achieve the target. By viewing the vision statement, the feasible part of PepsiCo is improving all the aspects that PepsiCo operates in to create better tomorrow and thus become sustainable company. PepsiCo expected to able achieve the improvement of the aspects that PepsiCo operates. By achieve the improvement of the aspects, PepsiCo will has better control and understand of the aspects that PepsiCo involved. Thus, it is one step forward for PepsiCo to become a truly sustainable company. Well, some aspects are uncontrollable and PepsiCo has to stick in the uncontrollable aspects. In desirable component, it is about the long term interest of the stakeholders. Through the vision statement, the desirable part of the PepsiCos vision is commitment to build shareholder value. PepsiCo promise the shareholders benefits in order to gain full supports of the shareholders. Thus, the internal of company will become more united. Contribution of shareholders are become more significant such as introduce the investors and partners. By the way, it may be create barriers among the shareholders if the distribution of value is not equal. In easy to understand component, it is about ease to understand and communicate of the vision statement. By viewing the vision statement, PepsiCos vision statement is a bit lengthy but in clear English. The vision statement has 2 long sentences of stating what PepsiCo set for future vision. The vision statement is in clear and simple English but it is better to make it shorter and simpler. 3.1 Shortcoming of vision statement (refer Appendix 2) Vague mean that the vision statement is short of specifics about the company. The vision statement of PepsiCo is a little vague. It is because there are few options of actions in the vision statement and not sure which actions that PepsiCo want to follow. People will feel a bit confuse with the vision statement and will worry that whether PepsiCo is able to fulfill the actions in the vision statement. Next, the vision statement of PepsiCo is not distinctive. There are many actions in the vision statement for PepsiCo to go on and not specific enough. Besides that, the vision statement is too normal and can be any company using the same vision statement. There are only 2 shortcomings for PepsiCo vision statement and the other 3 shortcoming matrices are not related to the PepsiCo vision statement which are not forward looking, rely on superlatives and bland. Not forward looking mean the vision statement is not concern about the future. Well, PepsiCos vision statement is forward looking because in the vision statement, PepsiCo is concerning about the future with wanting to create better tomorrow by improving the aspects that PepsiCo involved. Rely on superlatives mean that the vision statement is set to be the most successful position. PepsiCos vision statement is not relying on superlatives because it didnt mention that PepsiCo want to be the top company but only want to create a better tomorrow and become a truly sustainable company. Bland is the lacking of motivational power of the vision statement. PepsiCo is making commitment to build shareholder value in the vision statement. The commitment will motivate the shareholders to fully support the company. 3.2 Recommendations Since there are few options in the vision statement and make the vision vague, I recommend that the vision statement should become directly to points which mean that PepsiCo should combine all the options of actions into 1 sentence. This will make people know that what PepsiCo want to do and goes on when they read the vision statement. Next, the vision statement is not distinctive to let people differentiate itself from other companys vision. PepsiCos vision statement is too broad and any company can use the same vision as PepsiCo. Thus, I recommend that PepsiCo simplify its vision statement and make the vision statement short and memorable for people. Based on the recommendations above, the old vision statement of PepsiCo is vague and not distinctive. Thus, I had modified the old vision statement based on the recommendations to enhance the old vision statement. The new vision statement of PepsiCo is as below: PepsiCo aims to keep improving all aspects that we operate and focus on environmental management, CSR and commitment to shareholders to create a truly sustainable company. 4.0 Evaluation of mission statement Mission statement is focused in current business activities such as who we are and what we do. A company mission is not to make a profit but what we will do to make a profit. Making profit is only an objective. (refer Appendix 3) I used the mission statement evaluation matrix to review the PepsiCos mission statement. From reviewing the PepsiCos mission statement, there are components such as products/services, markets, concern for survival, growth and profitability, philosophy, concern for public image and concern for employees can be seek from the mission statement. By the way, the customers, technology and self-concept are not exist and absent from the mission statement. Products/services component is about what the company offered. From reviewing the mission statement, PepsiCo is offering the convenient foods and beverages such as snack foods, soft drinks and etc. Well, this component can be enhanced by expanding the products portfolio. PepsiCo can try to get into more foods and beverages industries other than its already owned products such as instant noodles and perhaps alcoholic drinks and etc. The strong brand name of PepsiCo will make the new products adapt easier by customers and to successful. Market component is about what the market that the company is targeting and occupying. From the mission statement, PepsiCo want to serve the global market. PepsiCo is a well known company around the world and PepsiCo is now serving the world market as well. Thus, I would like to recommend PepsiCo to put efforts in penetrate into deeper demographic markets. For example, PepsiCo can cooperate with the vendor companies and put its drinks in the vendor machines in even smaller places such as schools, colleges, some grocery shops and etc. For concern for survival, growth, profitability component, it is about how the company concern about its survival in the industry, growth and profitability of itself. By reviewing the mission statement, PepsiCo provide financial rewards to investors and also chances of growth and enrichment of the employees and business partners. PepsiCo build good relationship with investors to guarantee the sources of capital for survival and grow. The enriched employees with skills are significant for the company to survive, grow and gain profits. The upgrade of business partners of PepsiCo also vital to earn profits. Thus, I recommend that PepsiCo could build a really stable and strong relationship with the investors, enriched employees and business partners. Hence, keeping the talented and skillful employees in the company and strong business partners are a very important step for PepsiCo to survive, grow and earn profit in the industry. The philosophy component is about what the company always strive to do. From the mission statement, PepsiCo strive for honesty, fairness and integrity in everything. PepsiCo would like to care for customers, consumers and the world. PepsiCo put the customers at the first place before anything. The concern for public image component is about whether the company is concerning about the public image. Through the mission statement, PepsiCo is concerning its public image by providing the opportunity for its business partners and communities to grow and upgrade. PepsiCo become environmental friendly and implement the CSR to gain the reputation. Concern for employees is about how the company cares about its employees. From mission statement, PepsiCo provide opportunities for growth and enrichment to employees. Well, PepsiCo can build good relationship with the employees and bring the sense of belonging toward company to them. By here, I recommend that PepsiCo to add in the 3 missing components which are customers, technology and self-concept to enhance the mission statement. Customers component is about the target market that the company served. PepsiCo can improve the mission by stating that it will serve the global customers of all ages since PepsiCo is serving the world market. For technology component, it is about the technology of the company adopt and using. This component is absent in the PepsiCos mission statement. By the way, PepsiCo can add in the component by stating easier delivery of products to customers with the advance technology and thus save cost and time. For self-concept component, it is about the self concept that the company hold as concept. This is missing from the PepsiCo current mission statement too. The self-concept of PepsiCo can be add in is delivering sustained growth through empowered people acting responsibly and building trust. By the new descriptions added in, I would like to suggest few modifications to the current mission statement. Our mission is to be global premier consumer products company serving the global market with customers of all ages focused on wide product lines of foods and beverages. We seek to produce financial rewards to investors as we provide chances for enrichment to our employees, business partners and the communities in which we operate. The technology makes us easier to reach customers. And we strive for honesty, fairness and integrity in everything we do. 5.0 Conclusion As a business analyst of PepsiCo, I had reviewed the vision statement and mission statement of PepsiCo with the analysis and evaluate matrix. Thus, I had recommended few enhancements and modifications to the current vision statement and mission statement. With the enhanced vision statement and mission statement, it is easier to read and understand by people. Hence, with a clear and simple vision statement and mission statement, PepsiCo can create a better future and become a truly sustainable company.

Advice For Teaching High Functioning People with Autism :: Autism Learning Disabilities Education Essays

Advice For Teaching High Functioning People with Autism This paper was reprinted with permission of Susan Moreno on the O.A.S.I.S. (Online Asperger's Syndrome Information and Support) 1. People with autism have trouble with organizational skills, regardless of their intelligence and/or age. Even a "straight A" student with autism who has a photographic memory can be incapable of remembering to bring a pencil to class or of remembering a deadline or an assignment. In such cases, aid should be provided in the least restrictive way possible. Strategies could include having the student put a picture of a pencil on the cover of his notebook or maintaining a listof assignments to be completed at home. Always praise the student when he remembers something he has previously forgotten. Never denigrate or "harp" at him when he fails. A lecture on the subject will not only NOT help, it will often make the problem worse. He may begin to believe he can not remember to do or bring these things. These students seem to have either the neatest or the messiest desks or lockers in the school. The one with the messiest desk will need your help in frequent cleanups of the desk or locker so that he can find things. Simply remember that he is probably not making a conscious choice to be messy. He is most likely incapable of this organizational task without specific training. Attempt to train him in organizational skills using small, specific steps. 2. People with autism have problems with abstract and conceptual thinking. Some may eventually acquire abstract skills, but others never will. When abstract concepts must be used, use visual cues, such as drawings or written words, to augment the abstract idea. Avoid asking vague questions such as, "Why did you do that?" Instead, say, "I did not like it when you slammed your book down when I said it was time for gym. Next time put the book down gently, and tell me that you are angry. Were you showing me that you did not want to go to gym, or that you did not want to stop reading?" Avoid asking essay-type questions. Be as concrete as possible in all your interactions with these students. 3. An increase in unusual or difficult behaviors probably indicates an increase in stress. Sometimes stress is caused by feeling a loss of control.

I Was a Willing Participant :: Personal Narrative Writing

I Was a Willing Participant Toward the end of last semester, I registered for this class mainly for one reason: I had had Emily as a professor before, I liked her class and her teaching style very much, and I wanted to again take a class she was teaching. This was my first opportunity to do so, and I jumped on it. In the bulletin, the class was described as the Graduate Writing Seminar, and through the grapevine, I found out it was not a creative writing class, but instead, a study in critical feminist pedagogies.What the hell, I thought. Ià ­ll take it anyway. After all, I really just wanted to take another class with Emily, whatever the topic might be. Over winter break, I started thinking about who else would be in the class. I am sure some of the usual suspects would be in Dixon 432 on that first day. Sure enough, when I walked, in I saw Alicia, Megan, Kate, and Kelly, just as I had expected. Before that first day, however, the number one thought going through my mind about this class and the makeup of my classmates was, of course, just how many males would be in that room. For a while, I thought I may be the only one, but I shook that thought out of my mind pretty quickly when I reminded myself that, after all, this was grad school, and the guys here were actually open minded and weren't afraid to take a class containing the prefix fem. I was right. In walked to see Gary and Leon. I had had classes with both of them before, and I knew their ways of thinking, so I felt à ¬safe.à ® (Though I must admit that when Gary first proclaimed himself a à ¬feministà ® in Sharon Lewis' class last semester, my initial thought was à ¬this guy just wants to get laid.à ® That was stupid and wrong.) So here I was, one-third of a population of a class that was certainly not going to be the topic of discussion for the next 5 or so months. I was ready to accept that. The program here at MSU had given me many chances to expand my thinking in ways that I had not previously been exposed to, and this class was yet another in that long line.

Structure of the eye and ear :: essays research papers

Structures of the eye and ear We use our ears for the hearing sense, and we use our eyes for vision. Both are very important senses and would be hard to get along without. We rely on hearing for communication, navigation, entertainment and many other purposes Now for our eyes we use them for vision, their like our own personal camera’s, both have and use lens to focus on images. The eyes respond to the visible spectrum, this spectrum is made up of wavelengths of different sizes. The shorter waves produce a purple color, while Longer wavelengths produce blue, yellow, green and orange, and the longest Waves are red. Saturation, brightness, and hue all are components used in the Visible spectrum. More than half of the sensory receptors in the body happen to be located in the eyes, also the cerebral cortex plays a large role in processing Visual information. Some accessory structures of the eye are: the eyelids, eyelashes, eyebrows, Lacrimal apparatus, and the extrinsic eye muscles. The eyelids or (palpebrae) Are used for shade, whether it’s for sleeping or from excessive light, or from foreign objects that don’t belong in the eye. While the eyelids are protecting The eye it also helps at the same time by spreading lubricates over the eyeballs. The eyelashes help protect from foreign objects and perspiration, as well do the Eyebrows . The Lacrimal apparatus is a group of small structures, when humans Express emotions with tears, the Lacrimal apparatus helps to produce and then Drain those tears away. There are six extrinsic eye muscles to help move each Eye; the superior rectus, inferior rectus, lateral rectus, medial rectus, superior oblique and inferior oblique. Circuits in the brain stem and cerebellum tell these muscles what to do. The structure of the eye begins with the fibrous tunic, vascular tunic And the retina. These are all on the wall of the eyeball, the fibrous tunic consist of the cornea and the sclera. The cornea is what covers the iris, and is the outermost layer of the eye through which light passes. The sclera or the â€Å"white† of the eye, this is what gives form to the eyeball. The vascular tunic has three parts to it; the choroids, ciliary body, and the iris. The choroids is what provides nutrients to the surface of the retina. The ciliary body consist of ciliary muscle and the iris which is the colored part of the eye, it regulates the amount of light

Dropbox Case Analysis Essay

Although Dropbox trailed behind its competitors to catch onto the initial wave of the cloud computing, this minor setback did not restrain the company from revolutionizing the way we store data today. When Houston noticed the limited aptitude of preexisting online backup companies, he seized the opportunity to address the transfer of information across firewalls, unreliable wireless connection, and inability to effectively process a large amount of data. Whereas the competition relied on a distant server to enable file accesses over the Internet, Dropbox stored files locally on computer hard drives and synchronized copies on their servers to save time and bandwidth. When Houston applied to Y Combinator, he included several assumptions in his business model. Originally, Dropbox would directly target individual users, including consumers and businessmen. This decision was contingent on the theory that IT would overlook the company’s limited track record to certify Dropbox after witnessing such high demand. Adopting a freemium model, Dropbox would offer 1 GB to non-paying subscribers and 10 GB to paying subscribers for 5 dollars a month. To raise the funds necessary to launch Dropbox, Houston aimed to raise capital from investors like Y Combinator and Sequoia Capital. Having developed a strong following from an eclectic group of 782,000 users, Dropbox must now maximize profits through price differentiation. This would help them combat their current operating losses of $14.234 million. By classifying their users into various consumer segments, Dropbox could charge each segment the maximum price they are willing to pay. In this case, the consumer segment would be small to medium sized businesses. Aside from requiring a lot of customer support, these clients would most likely be working with many computers and a lot of data at a time. To tailor to their needs, Dropbox should release a different version of their software and market it at a set bundled price per month. This bundle should include all of the benefits deemed most appealing to businesses, such as: file sharing, large storage capacity, Pack Rat (unlimited undo history), and a personal hotline. By using bulk pricing, Dropbox could offer a deal for groups of  computers rather than charging per each computer separately. By pursing this strategy, Dropbox would stay relevant with competitors like Mozy and Carbonite who have already released different versions of their software to accommodate different consumer segments. This strategy would encourage Dropbox to invent new services that they otherwise would not have invested in without being properly compensated. Additionally, Dropbox would enjoy minimal acquisition costs because small to medium businesses are the consumers who would be most actively searching for these data storage services to optimize operations, thereby coming across Dropbox all on their own. In order to justify this decision, Houston should use a conjoint analysis to determine which Dropbox features hold the most value to these businesses. This will allow them to better customize the bundle and determine the price that will capture the largest market share. Dropbox should also develop a running prototype and expose it to pretest markets or run a beta test. This will reduce risk, increase expected benefits, and forecast sales. To collect feedback from their target audience, Dropbox should continue to follow support forums closely, forward customer surveys, implement A/B testing, and conduct usability tests. With a more refined understanding of this consumer segment’s needs, Dropbox can design a customized premium product that will pave the way for company growth and success.

Process in an Ideal Weight

The topic of weight is very prevalent among people in today's society. Everywhere we look we find people of all sorts of different weights and appearances. Tall, small, thin, wide, fat and skinny are just a variety of the words we use to describe people. Almost no one is completely happy with their weight. We are constantly looking for ways to better ourselves and improve our physical appearance. It is this paper's purpose to provide information in helping a person feel comfortable with their weight and aid in determining an ideal body weight for you. Topics also include: society's view on weight, the dangers of various weight-related disorders and diseases, and methods of achieving a recommended healthy weight. The goal is that once you have the proper information you will be able to achieve this ideal weight safely and on your own, giving you an ultimate sense of satisfaction. The question that is constantly being asked is just what is the ideal healthy weight? The ideal body weight is different for every individual as healthy ideal weight depends on a person's sex, race, and genetics. To quickly simplify and determine an individual's ideal weight we use a simple chart called the Body Mass Index or BMI for short. This chart determines how much a person should weigh. People can calculate their BMI by dividing their weight in pounds by their height in inches squared and multiplying the resulting number by 704. 5 (Woods 98). A person who weighs 164 pounds and is 68 inches would do the following calculation: 164/4624 x 704. 5 = 25 BMI. A BMI between 18. 5-24. 9 is normal and is called the safe zone (Woods 98). The people in this recommended safe zone are considered to be in the best health. A BMI less than 18. 5 usually means that a person is underweight (Woods 98). Studies indicate that the underweight have an increased risk of death compared to those of normal weight. A BMI of over 30 means obesity, and obese people take a lot of health risks (Woods 98). People with obesity have an increased risk of: high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, the most common form of diabetes, gallbladder disease, arthritis, respiratory problems, and certain types of cancer. As long as you fall into or close to the recommended safe zone you should feel comfortable and happy with your weight the way it is. This paper will now discuss the dangers that society's infatuation with weight can have on a person. It will also provide methods on how a person can change to find a comfortable and healthy weight. Eating disorders are a common and very realistic part of our society. They are seen as the most dangerous health related risks involving weight. Dieting, binge-eating and food obsessions are prevalent among all weight groups. Many people strive to be lighter than their natural weights and exercise excessively and eat sparingly to attain an often-unrealistic weight goal. Societal pressures share blame for producing eating disorders. Some victims of eating disorders feel that others are pressuring them to be thin, making them feel guilty about what they eat (Washington 99). They become isolated from family and friends and turn to food as a release and source of comfort (Washington 99). People with eating disorders excessively exercise and are known to induce vomiting after eating or drinking (Washington 99). Eating disorders target many people in society. The main target group is females, especially in the traditionally masculine cultures. Society places a great deal of emphasis on the physical appearance of a person's body and this alone is enough to drive someone into an eating disorder. An example is the supermodel with the skin and bones look whom you see on television. With this in mind many women might look at their weight and find themselves socially unacceptable. The result can be an eating disorder. Another target group is athletes. For example, in the sport of gymnastics there is pressure on the female athlete to maintain a low weight and petite slim figure. Since gymnastics is judged on how an athlete looks in competition many gymnasts develop an eating disorder as a result of the importance of body image to the sport. Another example of the occurrence of eating disorders is in boxing and wrestling. Sometimes there is pressure on the athlete to have a rapid weight loss in order to compete in a lower weight class where he or she might have a better chance of winning. There are two main eating disorders that effect many people in society. They are anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia is a deliberate and obsessive starvation in the pursuit of thinness. It is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming obese, or the disturbance in the way one's bodyweight size and shape is perceived by another individual (Clark 96). Bulimia is described as recurrent episodes of binge eating and a lack of control over one's eating behaviour resulting in purging (Clark 96). Purging can be achieved by using laxatives and/or vomiting. Many of the symptoms of eating disorders are similar; however, each disorder is somewhat different. If someone is anorexic, symptoms might be: an extremely thin person, isolation, loneliness, obsessive preoccupation with food as regards: obtaining it, cooking, and eating, and compulsive exercise (Washington 99). If someone is bulimic, you might expect to see: the use of food as a comforter, laxative abuse, mood swings, constant concern about body image and weight, quick trips to the bathroom after meals, excessive exercise, some isolation, and low self-esteem (Washington 99). Both forms of eating disorders are dangerous to your health and can cause major problems, both now and in the future. Some immediate physical problems include constantly feeling cold, bloodshot eyes with dark circles, finger calluses, dizziness, weakness, moodiness, insomnia, swollen glands, sore throat, or dry skin (Washington 99). Some of the long-term effects include gastrointestinal pain, diarrhea and/or constipation, malnutrition, heart attack, permanent damage to internal organs, kidney failure, and death (Washington 99). Family and friends of people affected should be aware of the symptoms and risks associated with disordered eating patterns. It is imperative to avoid becoming a victim to an eating disorder. You will only end up hurting yourself and loved ones around you. Now that the dangers of weight have been discussed an effective method of weight gain and loss will be presented. This information will help you reach a desired ideal weight so you can be happy and take pride in yourself. The topic of weight management is prevalent in today's society and is discussed from two different perspectives. People might think that they are too small or weak and in this case they will want to put on more weight. On the other hand, others might think that they are too big. In this case they will try to reduce their weight. Requirements of caloric intake differ for everyone. These requirements are determined by age, sex, weight and activity level. The simple definition of weight is the balance between caloric intake and caloric expenditure (Berning 96). Your body weight will change when there is a difference between calories taken in and calories burned up. Taking this into account, for the average person to lose weight the caloric intake must be less than caloric expenditure. Put simply, to lose weight you must eat less, exercise more, or a combination of both. For the average person to lose one pound they would have to run about 35 miles or eat 3,500 fewer calories (Berning 96). This is impossible to do in one day. To put this into perspective the following formula is given: 3,500 calories 7 days per week = 500 calories per day. It can than be said that eating 500 calories less per day will result in a weight loss of one pound per week. The same can be said by combining 250 calories less per day and burning 250 calories in exercise. Weight loss is most successful when diet and exercise are combined. The safe weight loss recommendation for the average person is no more than 1-2 pounds per week (Berning 96). By using this method of losing weight a person will decrease their chance of health problems and achieve their ideal weight. This method of weight loss will leave you with a sense of satisfaction and pride in reaching your ideal weight. The same basic theory applies for weight gain. In order to gain weight you need to consume more calories than you expend (Berning 96). Family history plays a major role in the development of a body. For example, people from thin families are less likely to transform their bodies into bulky muscular ones. A person can increase his chance of gaining weight with improved nutrition and appropriate weight training. Muscle is gained through intense training and the consumption of additional calories. For each pound gained as muscle you would need to consume 500-1000 additional calories each day (Berning 96). The key to weight gain is consistency and with a little hard work the average person should be able to get to his/her desired ideal weight. By combining a high calorie diet and a rigid exercise program you will find that your body will produce weight in the form of muscle, making you healthy and giving you your desired physical body image. We all must act together and make it our priority to help change society's perception of body images. This can protect everyone by making others feel comfortable with their weight and prevent them from developing eating disorders. Education is essential. By studying our ideal weight in the BMI chart and keeping an eye on the amount of calories in our diet we can stay healthy and feel good about ourselves. This process is aided through complete reinforcement and support from our family and friends. It doesn't stop there as we all must refrain from prejudicial treatment of fat or thin people and see beyond their weight. It is only then that we can feel comfortable with our weight and develop satisfaction in knowing that we have obtained an ideal healthy lifestyle for ourselves.