Irrational Ideas About Eating

Question: 1. Outline some of the possible consequences of consuming an irrational diet?2. Discuss the long term effects of obesity on the human body?3. Compare manufacturers claims, public perception and the scientific evidence on the benefits or otherwise of vegetable spreads compared with butter?4. Describe the general benefits to health of regular moderate exercise?5. Research the benefits and health hazards associated with a specific type of exercise (e.g. high impact exercise, weight training?6. Evaluate public perception to the use of different types of drugs including alcohol, nicotine (tobacco), marijuana and cocaine? 7. For a name d drug describe the possible benefits (if any) and the health risks associated with short term or long term consumption? Answer: Outline some of the possible consequences of consuming an irrational diet? An irrational diet can be irrational in terms of quality, quantity or both. It could mean that the person believes in certain myths that are illogical. For example, that one must eat all the food on the plate, one must have three large meals a day, that one must eat one is very full, that one must eat to feel better emotionally, that one must have meat at every meal and so on. Consequences of eating an irrational diet are obesity, diabetes, and other related complications like hypertension and cardiovascular disease. On the other hand people who tend to diet as a way of life can also consume irrationally low quantity of food due to factors that make them feel fat, fear of overeating, withdrawal and looking inwards and other irrational outcomes of a poor diet. Discuss the long term effects of obesity on the human body. The long term effects of obesity on the human body are numerous that challenge the well being of a person. Coronary heart disease is a condition where consumption of fats in the diet and a sedentary lifestyle lead to the build up of a waxy substance that forms plaques inside the coronary arteries, the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Angina or heart attack can be the consequence. Hypertension can result as a consequence of long term obesity. Stroke can occur if the build up of plaque in the arteries ruptures causing the formation of a blood clot. If the clot is in a blood vessel close to the brain it can cause stroke. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the blood sugar is higher than normal. The body cells are unable to use insulin properly. Initially the body responds by making more insulin but even that fails to control blood sugar. Other implications of obesity are: abnormal blood fats, metabolic syndrome, gall stone formation and sleep apnoea. Compare manufacturers claims, public perception and the scientific evidence on the benefits or otherwise of vegetable spreads compared with butter. Aseem Malhotra, interventional cardiology specialist, at the Croydon university hospital, London writes in the British Medical Journal that the real issue in cardiovascular disease is dyslipidaemia that is caused by intake of trans-fats meaning that butter is not unhealthy as previously believed (Malhotra 2013). Consumption of butter when accompanied with moderate physical activity does not lead to central obesity. But studies have always placed the trans-fat containing margarine made with hydrogenated fats in the category of foods that cause increase in cholesterol and unhealthy blood fat figures. Advertisements of margarine have only emphasized on the feel good factor of fat consumption, they do little to tell the truth. Sarah Boseley, health editor at The Guardian has quoted cardiologist Aseem Malhotra who has carried out studies that prove the benefits of butter over the trans-fat containing margarine. Describe the general benefits to health of regular moderate exercise. Regular moderate exercise for five days a week has several health benefits. Coupled with strength training exercise it helps to reduce weight and maintain a normal weight. It curtails the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke and some cancers. Exercise causes release of endorphins which help to reduce stress (Physical activity for health). It also relieves symptoms of anxiety and depression. Improvement in cognitive functions of the elderly is a benefit for ageing people who choose to exercise regularly. Fitness of heart-lung and muscles is another advantage of exercise. People who exercise also tend to sleep better. Cancer of colon and breast can be prevented with exercise. Research the benefits and health hazards associated with a specific type of exercise (e.g. high impact exercise, weight training). The benefits of high impact exercise like running and gymnastics. Done in the right proportion of total exercise it can help improve bone density. Too much of high impact exercise can strain muscles and joints and cause wear and tear. Long term high impact exercise can cause crippling effects if neglected. Body weight training is a better option than lifting weights according to experts. The former provides benefits to tendons, ligaments and muscles whereas lifting weights is associated with several injuries. It prevents tendonitis and arthritis to which weight lifters are more prone. Evaluate public perception to the use of different types of drugs including alcohol, nicotine (tobacco), marijuana and cocaine. Public perception on drug use is basically divided on the basis of whether the person expressing judgement about drug use is a user or a non user. Non users are tilted heavily against drug use of any kind. They even have negative perceptions against the two legalised drugs alcohol and tobacco and often question why society accepts these two drugs as acceptable even though multiple health issues can arise from uncontrolled use. The other kind of perception belongs to the users. This group tries to justify their use of drugs in several ways. This group claims that using even illegal drugs in the privacy of their homes without affecting anyone outside should be a matter of personal choice and that banning drugs impinges on their rights. Their argument is that when alcohol and tobacco which are also debilitating in many respects are legalised there is no reason why other drugs should be prohibited. For a name d drug describe the possible benefits (if any) and the health risks associated with short term or long term consumption. Alcohol has been the fermented drink for millennia. According to the article, Alcohol, the full story Its safe to say that alcohol is both a tonic and a poison. Taken in moderation with respect to dose and frequency, alcohol has been shown to have benefits. It can be good for heart health and improves circulation. Some studies say that it has protective action and protects from type 2 diabetes. Even gallstone formation can be prevented by exercising restraint in alcohol consumption. Red wine is supposed to have antioxidants and help in raising the good cholesterol. On the other hand irrational and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol has several disadvantages. Drunken driving is the major cause of fatal accidents around the world. Health implications of over drinking are liver and heart damage, harm to the unborn foetus. It increases the risk of breast and other cancers. It can lead to depression, violence and cause serious family issues. References Irrational ideas about eating. Available from move.va.gov. Meikle, J. The Guardian. Nearly 75% of men and 65% of women in UK to be overweight by 2030 Study. The effects of under-eating. Available fromhttps://eating-disorders.org.uk/information/the-effects-of-under-eating/ Available from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Obesity/Pages/Introduction.aspx Boseley, S. 2013. Butter and cheese better than trans-fat margarines, says heart specialist. The Guardian. Blue Band Maargarine , Good good feeling. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr6MJxi_aYg Holmberg, S. Thelin, A. (2013). High dairy fat intake related to less central obesity: A male cohort study with 12 years follow-up. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, vol. 31, no.2, pp 89-94. Physical activity, Available from https://www.patient.co.uk/health/Physical-Activity-For-Health.htm The negative impact Available from https://www.lifecoachhub.com/coaching-articles/the-negative-impacts-of-weight-lifting-versus-bodyweight-training High School, Available from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/high-school-youth-trends Available from https://samples.jbpub.com/9781449613693/13693_CH01_0001.pdf Alcohol drugs. Available from: https://www.human-resource-solutions.co.uk/HR-Policy-Pages/Alcohol-Drugs/Alcohol-Drugs.htm Fats explained. British Heart Foundation. Available from: https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/preventing-heart-disease/healthy-eating/fats-explained Malhotra, A. (2013), Saturated fat is not the major issue, British Medical Journal, 347, f6340. Alcohol and Drug Policy. Available from https://www.essex.ac.uk/hr/whh/docs/WHHLtdAlcoholdrugspolicy.pdf.