In late March TED-Ed answered “why isn’t the world covered in poop?” Last week they published a lesson answering the related question, “what causes constipation?“

What Causes Constipation? teaches viewers about the roles of the large intestine and pelvic floor muscles in the process of expelling stool. The lesson also teaches viewers about the dietary changes and lifestyle changes a person can make to prevent chronic constipation.

Applications for Education
Once you get them past the obvious wise-cracks and giggles, this video is a good resource for upper elementary and middle school health and science classes. As a science lesson, the video covers basic anatomy and physiology. As a health lesson, the video provides a reminder about the benefits of nutrition and exercise.