Health Challenges

1. Health Challenges Chapter 12

2. Everyone has to cope with stress. • Situations do not cause stress on their own • Stress comes from how much you react to situations in your life • Stress upsets the body and the mind • Can lead to headaches, backaches, insomnia, and irritability • Prolonged stress can weaken the immune system Stress

3. Stress can have two effects on eating • Moderate stress can cause people to engage in emotional eating • Severe stress can shut down the appetite • Stress makes demands on the muscles and organs, so healthy eating is more important than ever during stressful times • Avoid comfort foods and caffeine when stressed Stress and Nutrition

4. Stress serves a valuable purpose • Taking action is a good way to defuse stress • Coping strategies: • Distinguish between what you can change and what you cannot change • Develop a sense of humor • Reach out – to talk about problems • Keep physically fit • Take time for rest and recreation • Criticize less and praise more • Do not use drugs to relieve stress, and do not use medications unless your physician recommends it Coping with Stress

5. A well nourished body is better equipped to handle and ailment • A person who is ill or recovering from illness should pay special attention to the foods they choose Illness and Recovery

6. Foods and supplements can change the effect of drugs on the body • Some drugs can change the effect of food and supplements on the body • A physician or pharmacist can give detailed instructions for when and how to take medication Food-Drug Interactions

7. Particularly important during illness, especially a cold or flu • Drink fluids to replace water lost to vomiting or fever • Cool liquids also help a high temperature • Help moisten nasal and sinus tissues to prevent irritation Fluids

8. Your nutrient needs remain the same during mild illnesses and injuries, but your calorie needs may drop if you are inactive for a long period • Choose nutrient dense foods to prevent weight gain Calories

9. Chronic means recurring or taking place over a long period of time • Chronic health problems can occur over years, or even decades Chronic Health Problems

10. Many chronic health problems require special eating plans or medical nutrition therapy • A dietician or nutritionist will make specific recommendations. Common Chronic Disorders

11. High cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease and stroke • Medical nutrition therapy for this condition includes cutting back on foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat and adding foods high in fiber. • Soy proteins may also help control cholesterol High Cholesterol

12. Risk factor for heart disease and other medical problems • People who need to reduce blood pressure oven follow a diet low in sodium and saturated fat and rich in calcium, potassium, and magnesium High Blood Pressure

13. If left untreated, can result in severe damage to kidneys, eyes, and heart • Can stabilize blood sugar levels by rationing their carbohydrate intake through regular meals and careful food choices • High-fiber foods may slow carbohydrate digestion and absorption and help to stabilize blood sugar Diabetes

14. Weakens the immune system • Can experience poor appetite, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, and changes in body composition • Proper nutrition and exercise can help with these problems • People with HIV/AIDS are sensitive to foodborne illness, so safe food handling is also essential HIV/AIDS

15. Some chronic conditions are actually caused by certain foods • A food allergy is an abnormal response to certain foods by the body’s immune system • Even a trace amount of the food can trigger symptoms • In rare cases a food allergy can cause death • Food allergies common for adults: • Fish, shellfish, eggs, nuts, and peanuts • Food allergies common for children: • Cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, and soy • A food intolerance is a negative reaction to food that does not involve the immune system • Usually causes digestive problems Food Sensitivities

16. People with chronic health conditions who follow a special eating plan need to pay close attention to their food choices • A special eating plan does not have to be boring • It can be an opportunity to explore new foods and learn new cooking skills • Many medical centers offer cooking classes for different nutritional needs • Family and friends can help try new recipes and share healthful habits, making the experience even more positive Eating Plan Strategies

17. A condition marked by extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors related to food, eating, and weight • Eating disorders can damage health and even threaten life • They occur most often among teens and young adults, especially girls and women • People of all ages can develop eating disorders • People with eating disorders work hard to hide them from others Eating Disorders

18. An intense fear of gaining weight that leads to unhealthy eating and dangerous weight loss • People with anorexia nervosa become extremely underweight, but they still see themselves as fat • Food, eating, and dieting become obsessions for people with anorexia nervosa • Develop unusual, and often very rigid, eating habits and rituals • May deny being hungry or avoid group meals, eat only a few certain foods, or eat only at certain times • May get excessive amounts of strenuous exercise in an effort to lose more weight • May develop sensitivity to cold temperatures • May spend less time with friends and give up some activities Anorexia Nervosa

19. Damages body • Lowers heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and body temperature • Anorexia can lead to heart problems, osteoporosis, and constipation • Can stunt growth in teens and children • Can stop menstruation in females • Kills about 5% of all those who suffer from it • Most commonly by heart attack, electrolyte imbalance, and suicide Health Effects of Anorexia Nervosa

21. An eating disorder that causes people to binge, or eat enormous amounts of food in a short time • Most common eating disorder • When people binge eat, they cannot control what or how much they eat • They may eat up to 5,000 calories in one sitting • A binge usually occurs when the person is alone • After the binge, the person may feel guilty, disgusted, or depressed Binge Eating Disorder

22. Leads to excessive weight gain, with related problems of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes Health Effects of Binge Eating

24. Eating disorder that combines bingeing with purging to prevent weight gain • Purging methods include self induced vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise, and abuse of laxatives, diet pills, and diuretics (water removal pills) • People with bulimia fear getting fat, but they usually stay within 10 to 15 pounds of a healthy weight • Signs include missing food, empty food containers, the presence of laxatives or diuretics, and long periods spent in the bathroom after meals Bulimia Nervosa

25. Creates many serious health problems • Vomiting damages the teeth, gums, and stomach and can rupture the esophagus • Loss of fluid causes electrolyte imbalance, which can lead to an irregular heartbeat and even heart failure Health Effects of Bulimia Nervosa

27. Eating disorders have complex causes • Emotional problems are usually the underlying cause • Genetics and chemical imbalances in the brain may also play a role • Struggle with issues of identity and control • May use food to cope with stress, low self-esteem, and fears about the future • Family troubles, loneliness, anger, depression, and being teased about their weight add to the problem • Often, people with eating disorders hate the way they look • They have unrealistic ideas about body shape and weight Causes of Eating Disorders

28. The earlier an eating disorder is recognized and treated, the better the chance for recovery • Few people can stop these self-destructive behaviors without professional help • Resistance is common – they may not see that their behavior is unhealthy or they may be ashamed to admit the problem • Family and friends may have to step in an persuade a person with an eating disorder to accept help • People with eating disorders need physical and emotional treatment • Realizing that health is important now, and in the future, is more important than moments of embarrassment gets many people started on the road to recovery Stopping the Cycle

29. Education and counseling can help prevent eating disorders by showing people positive ways to cope with life’s challenges. • It is important to identify problem eating behaviors early, because these behaviors can lead to eating disorders. • It is important that family and friends recognize the symptoms and help the person find treatment • Speak up early – do not wait until the problem grows • Find healthy models of beauty • The human body comes in diverse shapes and sizes • When you value people for who they are and praise their positive accomplishments, you show that you base personal worth on much more than appearance Preventing Eating Disorders