HEALTH? II 4/1/09

Questions about HEALTH:

1. Does stress play a role in decreasing mental and/or physical fitness?
Stress is the result of the forces from the outside world affecting the individual. An individual will respond to this stress in ways that will affect their personal “container” and their environment. Stress enables the body to function properly

http://stress.about.com/od/stressmanagementglossary/g/Chronicstress.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/stress/article.htm#what


2. What is a valid definition of a healthy mental state?
Numerous experiments and test have been conducted over many years and even today scientists and doctors are having difficulty deciding where to draw the line between normal and abnormal health. "There's a broad range of what's normal," says psychologist Donald E. Williams, Ph.D., a medical specialty editor at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Deciding whether an individual is considered to be in a health mental state really depends on who is defining it. “Normalcy is ambiguous and often tied to value judgments particular to a certain culture or society.” The definition of normal health depends on the socially accepted values in their culture/society. The definition can change if the culture or society decides to change their values.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mental-health/MH00042

3. What is a valid definition of a healthy physical state?
A valid definition of a healthy physical state, according to Healthy People 2010 Operational Definition is:
"Increase the proportion of adults who engage in vigorous physical activity that promotes the development and maintenance of cardiorespiratory fitness for at least 20 minutes per day 3 or more days per week."

ftp://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Health_Statistics/NCHS/Datasets/DATA2010/Focusarea22/O2203.pdf

Another definition is:
-a state of physical and psychological well-being and of productivity including reproduction.
-a bodily state in which all parts are functioning properly. Also refers to the normal functioning of a part of the body. A state of normal functional equilibrium; homeostasis.

-a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/health
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_Health



4. How can one improve their mental or physical fitness?
There are several ways to improve ones mental or physical fitness/health. Changing the food one regularly eats for ones that contain antioxidants. Antioxidants are a substance such as vitamin C or E that remove potentially harmful and or damaging agents in living organisms.

Antioxidants improve health by fighting free radicals. Free radicals are charged oxygen molecules that our bodies are create – and are exposed to (such as pollution and cigarette smoke). If free radicals overcome the antioxidants in your body, then you’re more likely to struggle with cancer or other diseases.

Among the 10 Foods that Fight Disease, a few are:

Leafy Greens: A diet rich in spinach, kale, collard greens, beet greens and romaine lettuce can protect against gastric cancer, heart attack, and stroke. Leafy greens can lower your risk of cataracts and protect your eye health.

Tomatoes: The lycopene in tomatoes helps maintain healthy bones and regulates blood pressure. Lycopene fights disease by neutralizing free radicals, which damage normal cell growth (see “how antioxidants improve your health” below). Tomatoes also provide cancer protection and guard against hearth disease.

Citrus fruits: Grapefruit, oranges, tangerines and lemons may protect against skin cancer. These foods fight disease by helping your body detoxify or get rid of toxic substances. Citrus fruits protect you from cancer and stroke, and build up your immune system.

Fish and Seafood: Salmon, char, haddock, shrimp, rainbow trout and sardines are foods that fight disease because of their high omega-3 fish oils. Omega-3’s protect your brain, heart and blood pressure, and are associated with lower risks of various diseases.

There are many types of food that can improve the mental and physical well-being, more can be found on this site, from the link below.

http://food-facts.suite101.com/article.cfm/10_foods_that_fight_disease



5. How do foods that are "bad for the body" effect the body?


6. What is the average calorie intake for the average person (average American)? What is the average calorie intake for my body?

Male: (average)
height: 69.2in
weight: 189.8 lbs.
age: 26

Average Calorie intake: bmr 1947.52

Female: (average)
height: 63.8in
weight: 162.9 lbs.
age: 26

Average Calorie intake: bmr 1533.85


Currently my average daily calorie intake is: bmr 1402.19


http://www.hpathy.com/healthtools/calories-need.asp
http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/growthcharts2/f/avg_ht_male.htm


7. Is it a healthy choice to eat at McDonalds, along with other fast food restaurants?

According to the McDonald's USA site: they serve a range of high-quality foods that fit into a balanced diet.

When you go to: http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/bagMeal.do the site allows to choose options that would be in a meal at McDonalds, then those options are put into a chart and you are able to read all the nutritional facts they provide.

For the example I chose a cheeseburger, medium french fries, 2 ketchup packets, and a small sprite.
The cheeseburger has 300 calories
The medium french fries have 380 calories
The 2 ketchup packets contain 15 calories each, 30 total
A small sprite has 150 calories.

This meal would total in 850 calories.


http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/eat/nutrition_info.html



8. In magazines, newspapers, etc, there are always articles saying people should exercise more often, so why do schools not allow more gym classes per week?




9. How would the definitions of health compare/contrast of a doctor/physician or a nutritionist or a psychologist? How do they come up with their definitions of health? What is their source of information for making a definition? What proof do they have?




10. People are always saying they will prioritize they physical, then why haven’t they done it? Is there a lack of motivation?