dietary excesses Flashcards
what is a obesity
is a condition where an individuals weight is 20% or more over their recommended weight based on their height
what are the causes of obesity
-poor food choices: choosing excessive amounts of foods high in sugar and fat can cause energy imbalance leading to weight gain
-medications: taking steroids, antidepressants, anti-seizure and diabetes medications can cause weight gain
-emotional or psychological issues: depression, stress or low-self esteem can cause people to turn to foods high in sugar and fat to feel better, leading to weight gain
-lack of physical activity: inactivity causes energy provided by food to be stored as food, as it is not burned, causing weight gain
what are the health risks associated with obesity
-psychological problems: e.g. depression, distorted body image and low-self esteem
-coronary heart disease
-type 2 diabetes
-infertility
-arthritis: chronic inflammation of joints
-varicose veins: swollen and enlarged veins in the leg that are usually blue or dark purple
what are the treatments of obesity
-increase daily exercise to a minimum of one hour for children and young teenagers and 30 minutes for older teenagers, adults and older people
-follow a balanced, low-calorie diet
what are the dietary guidelines to reduce obesity
- eat a balanced low-calorie diet by following the food pyramid
-ensure portion sizes are accurate
-grill, bake, steam or boil instead of frying
-increase intake of fruit and vegetables, as they are low in fat and have fewer calories
-avoid takeaways and processed foods, as they tend to be higher in saturated fat and calories
what is diabetes mellitus
is an endocrine disorder associated with abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood. this happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the insulin produced is ineffective
what is type 1 diabetes
-the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin
-often hereditary and develops mainly during childhood, adolescence and young adulthood
-controlled by injectable insulin and by diet and exercise
-cannot be reversed
what is type 2 diabetes
-the pancreas produces insulin that cant be used by the body
-develops mainly during later adulthood, especially among overweight adults
-controlled by oral medication or injectable insulin and by diet and exercise or by diet and exercise alone
-can be reversed when a person loses a significant amount of their body weight
what are the symptoms of diabetes mellitus
-frequent urination
-excessive thirst
-weight loss
-tiredness
-blurred vision
-lack of concentration
what are the dietary guidelines for a person with diabetes mellitus
-maintain a healthy weight by reducing the intake of foods high in saturated fat
-increase intake of high-fibre foods , e.g. wholegrain bread as they release glucose into the bloodstream slowly and steadily
-eat regular, balanced meals to stabilise blood sugar levels and help avoid hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia
-choose diabetic confectionery, e.g. diabetic chocolate and artificial sweeteners instead of sugar to avoid blood glucose levels spiking
what is hypoglycaemia
occurs when a persons blood sugar level drops. this can happen if a person with diabetes takes in too much insulin or consumes too few carbohydrates
-glucose: intake is required to prevent diabetic coma
-symptoms: paleness, blurred vision and dizziness
what is periodontal disease
-occurs when plaque builds up along the gum line
-bacteria in the plaque produce toxins, causing inflammation of the gums and destruction of the bone that holds teeth in place
-over time, teeth become loose and may have to be removed
what is dental cavities/tooth decay
-occurs when plaque is allowed to remain on teeth
-bacteria in the plaque react with food particles to produce an acid, which attacks the tooth enamel, weakening it
-over time a cavity will develop in the enamel which eventually may expose the tooth’s nerve causing a toothache
what are the dietary changes to reduce the risk of dental disease
-avoid foods with a higher sugar content, e.g. confectionery and sugar-sweetened fizzy drinks
-use artificial sweeteners
-read ingredient lists on food packaging carefully to avoid hidden sugars, e.g. corn syrup
-choose high-fibre breakfast cereals, e.g. shredded wheat over processed high-sugar options
-choose water over fizzy drinks, dilutable juices and fruit drinks
what are the dental care changes to reduce the risk of dental disease
-visit the dentist at least twice year
-floss daily
-brush teeth at least twice daily
-choose a toothpaste with fluoride, a mineral that strengthens teeth and helps prevent tooth decay
