excess morality lecture 7- reducing excess morality

Question 1

what is an example of excess morality?

Answer 1

COVID-19 is a strong example of excess mortality, as the number of deaths during the pandemic was
significantly higher than in previous years. This graph shows an example using cremation records from
both during and before the pandemic.

Question 2

how do you find the BMI?

Answer 2

weight (kg) / height^2 (m^2)

Question 3

how do we define obesity?

Answer 3

30-39.9

Question 4

what is the relationship between body mass index and waist circumference?

Answer 4

the higher the body mass index, the higher the waist circumference

Question 5

what waist size is considered high risk?

Answer 5

-For men, a waist circumference of 102 cm (40
inches) or more is associated with a high risk of
obesity-related health conditions.

-For women, a waist circumference of 88 cm
(35 inches) or more is considered high risk.

Question 6

what can BMI hide the true levels of?

Answer 6

BMI can sometimes hide the true
levels of body fat, especially fat
stored around our organs, known
as ectopic fat

Question 7

what is surveillance?

Answer 7

Collecting worldwide data helps us determine if excess body weight is within expected levels or if it is becoming an epidemic.

Obesity is considered an epidemic when it affects a large proportion of the population across multiple regions or countries, with rates rising significantly over time

Question 8

why does BMI follow a U-shaped pattern?

Answer 8

Body Mass Index (BMI) follows a U-shaped association with mortality, meaning that
being at either the lower or upper extremes is linked to a higher risk of death

Question 9

what is the effect of body mass index and age on mortality risk?

Answer 9

-As people age, the relationship
between BMI and mortality risk
changes.

-Older adults may experience a
“protective” effect with a slightly
higher BMI.

-In older populations, a BMI that
would be considered overweight in
younger individuals might be
associated with a lower risk of
mortality, possibly due to the
protective effects of extra body
reserves during illness or recovery

Question 10

how much fruit and veg should we eat per day?

Answer 10

400 g per day = 5 portion of fruit & vegetables per day
this lowers the risk of cvd by 20%

even 200g = 2 1/2 portions of fruit and veg
8% lower risk for CVD
16% lower risk for stroke
3% for cancer
10% for all-cause mortality

and 800g = 10 portions of fruit and veg
32% lower risk for CVD
64% lower risk for stroke
12% for cancer
40% for all-cause mortality

Question 11

should you eat more fruits or vegetables?

Answer 11

Both fruits and vegetables are important for a healthy diet, but it’s generally recommended to focus slightly more on vegetables than fruits. Vegetables tend to be lower in sugar and calories while being rich in essential nutrients, fibre, and antioxidants

Question 12

what foods are the main contributors to excess mortality?

Answer 12

excessive intake = red meat, sugary drinks, salt, processed meat

sub-optimal intake = whole grains, legumes, fruit and veg, nuts and seeds, milk

Question 13

what are ultra processed foods?

Answer 13

industrial formulations made with no or minimal whole foods and produced with substances extracted from foods or synthesised in laboratories such as dye, flavourings and preservatives

Ultra-processed foods typically contain much higher levels of sodium compared to non-processed or minimally processed foods. Sodium is often added to ultra-processed foods for flavour, preservation, and texture enhancement

Question 14

what is the comparison between natural food and ultra processed?

Answer 14

1.Natural food (e.g., fresh chicken breast, 100
grams):
Sodium content: ~50-70 mg

2.Ultra-processed food (e.g., processed chicken
nuggets, 100 grams):
Sodium content: ~500-700 mg or more

Question 15

can you counteract an unhealthy diet with exercise?

Answer 15

-Even if you follow a healthy diet, without enough exercise, there are no significant benefits in terms of reducing mortality risk.

-In short, exercise is important, but it cannot fully offset the negative impacts of an
unhealthy diet. Both good nutrition and physical activity are needed for optimal health

Question 16

Does an unhealthy lifestyle have a greater
impact on people with lower incomes?

Answer 16

Yes, it does. People living in more deprived environments tend to experience worse health
outcomes compared to those in more affluent areas, even when following the same lifestyle

Question 17

is air pollution linked to an increase risk of death?

Answer 17

A long-term study followed about 175,000 people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes over 8 years. It found that exposure to air pollution (specifically PM 2.5 particles) was linked to an increased risk of death from all causes and several other serious health problems

Question 18

how much plastic is there in the world?

Answer 18

-Patients with macro and nano plastics (MNPs) in their blood have a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases.

-There are approximately 7 billion tonnes of plastic waste in the world
-Micro and nano plastics – an emerging health hazard

Question 19

what are types of PVC plastics examples?

Answer 19

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) plastic is found in a wide range of products due to
its durability and versatility. Some common examples include:

1.Pipes and plumbing: Used for water and sewage pipes in construction.
2.Vinyl flooring: Popular in homes and commercial spaces.
3.Plastic window frames: Durable and weather-resistant.
4.Shower curtains: Often made from flexible PVC.
5.Credit cards: PVC is used to make most credit and debit cards.
6.Medical equipment: Such as IV bags and tubing.
7.Toys: Some soft plastic toys are made from PVC

Question 20

what other damage is micro plastics doing?

Answer 20

1.Respiratory and Digestive Issues: Inhaled or ingested microplastics may cause inflammation or irritation in the lungs and digestive system. They can accumulate in the body, potentially leading to long-term health issues.

2.Toxic Chemical Exposure: Microplastics can carry harmful chemicals, such as endocrine disruptors and heavy metals, which may interfere with hormone function and increase the risk of cancers, reproductive issues, and developmental problems.

3.Immune System Impact: Early research suggests that microplastics could trigger immune system responses, potentially leading to chronic inflammation or other immune-related disorders.

4.Cellular Damage: Nano plastics, due to their tiny size, can penetrate cells and tissues, possibly causing oxidative stress, cell damage, or even affecting organ function.

Question 21

what are the lifestyle score 9 items?

Answer 21

Sleep duration, high television viewing time, smoking, excessive alcohol, poor diet [low intake of oily fish or fruits and vegetables, and high intake of red meat or processed meats], and low physical activity

Question 22

how there a Reduction in life expectancy for residents of East Glasgow compared to the West?

Answer 22

Residents of East Glasgow, on average, have a life expectancy that’s 13.9 years shorter for men and 8.5 years shorter for women compared to those in the West end of Glasgow