U! FEATURE 14 theSun U!
| TUESDAY APRIL 21, 2009
Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of body fat.
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of illness,
disability, and death from health complications such as
diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Diabetes is characterized by the inability of the body
to produce adequate amounts of the enzyme insulin,
which leads to high blood sugar levels that damage
the organs in the body over time. Heart disease, such
as clogged arteries, are caused by an accumulation
of bad cholesterol (low density lipids) on the walls of
the arteries and puts one at risk of a stroke, and high
blood pressure is a condition where blood pressure is
abnormally high, putting ones’ body at risk for extra
stress and of burst arteries. All these are risks that are
caused by obesity.
decisions Most commonly, obesity is judged by the Body Mass
● fatigue and decreased energy Index, where a BMI of 30 and above is considered
obesity. BMI is calculated The
by majestic
dividing weight Halong
(in kg)
● feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
● feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism over height (squared, in metres).
● insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping Obesity: Warning Signs
● irritability, restlessness An alarming increase in body fat and weight and the
● loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable presence of large amounts of fatty tissue. Obesity can
● overeating or appetite loss also give rise to several other conditions, including:
● persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive ● Arthritis and other problems with bones and muscles,
problems that do not ease even with treatment such as lower back pain
● persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings ● Heartburn
● thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts ● High cholesterol levels
In many cases, depression leads to suicide, and the symptoms of ● High blood pressure
depression with suicide includes: ● Menstrual problems
● a sudden switch from being very sad to being very calm or ● Shortness of breath
appearing to be happy ● Skin disorders
● always talking or thinking about death d Intervention (and Prevention)
● clinical depression (deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping The best way to prevent obesity is to avoid a high
and eating) that gets worse intake of fats. The National Cholesterol Education
● having a "death wish," tempting fate by taking risks that could lead Program suggests that no more than 30 percent of the
to death, like driving through red lights calories people eat should come from fats. A good way
● losing interest in things one used to care about to monitor one’s diet is to keep a detailed food diary.
● making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless That way, one will know exactly how many calories
● putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, changing a will are consumed in a day and where those calories come
● saying things like "It would be better if I wasn't here" or "I want from.
out" A program of vigorous exercise is also very
● talking about suicide (killing one's self) important. Activity is the only way that calories are
● visiting or calling people one cares about used up. The more active a person is, the less likely that
Depression: Intervention calories will be converted into fat.
Call a local suicide hotline, such as the Befrienders, to seek An important tip to reduce the risk of being obese
advice or help in dealing with a loved one or a friend whom you is to watch what and how much one eats. Keep a food
suspect suffers from depression. Do not hesitate to speak to him/ diary listing the foods one eats each day. Watch out
her, for sometimes the best thing to do is to be a listening ear. Be also for how you responds to food. As eating can reflect
understanding, and be supportive. Get help from mental health psychological issues –a person under stress may binge,
expert if necessary. Do not take threats of suicide lightly. it is important to be able to find other ways of dealing
If facing depression and suicide, get help immediately. Talk to with emotional issues besides eating.
someone, do not despair that there is no one to talk to. Watch also how you spend your time. Many obese
people have little
or no exercise. By
3. Obesity, Diabetes and Heart Disease: What is it?
making exercise
a regular part of
your life, you may
b e able to keep
i t off.
4.
AIDS/HIV:
What is it?
AIDS stands
for Acquired
Immune
Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a
serious condition that weakens the
body’s immune system, leaving it
unable to fight off illness.
AIDS is the last stage in a progression of diseases
resulting from a viral infection known as the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV or AIDS virus). The
diseases include a number of unusual and severe
infections, cancers and debilitating illnesses, resulting in
severe weight loss or wasting away, and diseases
affecting the brain and central nervous system.
AIDS/HIV: Warning Signs
Immediately following infection with HIV,
most individuals develop a brief, nonspecific
“viral illness” consisting of low grade fever,
rash, muscle aches, headache and/or fatigue.
Like any other viral illness, these symptoms
resolve over a period of five to 10 days. Then for
a period of several years (sometimes as long as
several decades), people infected with HIV are
asymptomatic (no symptoms). However, their
immune system is gradually being destroyed by
the virus. When this destruction has progressed
to a critical point, symptoms of AIDS appear.
These symptoms are as follows:
● extreme fatigue
● rapid weight loss from an unknown cause
(more than 10 lbs. in two months for no reason)
● appearance of swollen or tender glands in the
neck, armpits or groin, for no apparent reason,
lasting for more than four weeks
● unexplained shortness of breath, frequently
accompanied by a dry cough, not due to allergies
or smoking
● persistent diarrhea
● intermittent high fever or soaking night sweats
of unknown origin
● a marked change in an illness pattern, either in
frequency, severity, or length of sickness
● appearance of one or more purple spots on the
surface of the skin, inside the mouth, anus or
nasal passages
Bay.
● whitish coating on the tongue, throat or vagina
● forgetfulness, confusion and other signs of
mental deterioration
People who are not infected with HIV may also
develop these diseases; the presence of any one
of these conditions does not mean the person has
AIDS. To be diagnosed with AIDS, a person must
be infected with HIV.
AIDS/HIV: Prevention and Intervention
Work together to form a system that educates
the youth about AIDS and HIV; how they can get
infected, and what are the consequences. Lack of
education is often the most dangerous cause to
the rising number of AIDS infections, and hence,
proper guidance and education is absolutely
crucial to
teach the
young what
they need
to know
to protect
themselves.
5. Smok-
ing: What
is it?
The act
of inhaling
smoke from
lighting a
cigarette;
cigarettes which contain nicotine, tar and 4000
other chemical compounds which are known to be
toxic carcinogens.
Smoking: Health Risks and Warning Signs
It is often difficult to pinpoint symptoms of those
who are smoking, but some symptoms can be
observed:
● bad breath
● stained teeth
● shortness of breath
● constant smell of smoke on clothes and hair
● lack of appetite
Smokers run the risk of :
● High blood pressure, a risk factor for heart attacks
and stroke.
● Heart disease, lung cancer, emphysema.
● Worsening asthma and counteracts asthma
medication by worsening the inflammation of the
airways that the medicine tries to ease.
● The blood vessels in the eye are sensitive and can
be easily damaged by smoke, causing a bloodshot
appearance and itchiness.
● Heavy smokers are twice as likely to get macular
degeneration, resulting in the gradual loss of eyesight.
● Smokers run an increased risk of cataracts
● Smoking stains your teeth and gums, and of
periodontal disease, which causes swollen gums, bad
breath and teeth to fall out.
● Smoking also affects your looks: smokers have paler
skin and more wrinkles. This is because smoking
reduces the blood supply to the skin and lowers levels
of vitamin A.
Smoking: Prevention and Intervention
Take charge of your life and say no to temptation.
Find other ways to release the stress of life and work;
exercise, music, sports or even movie outings can help
take the stress out of life. Do not fall for the ‘cool’ image
that smoking so-called represents. There is nothing
cool about looking years older or having bad breath.
Help someone kick the habit by supporting them
through the process, or, if you are trying to quit
smoking also, do it together so the chances of success
are increased.