Assessment notes

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School

La Trobe University *

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4LPN

Subject

Health Science

Date

May 6, 2024

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docx

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9

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Activity 1 – childhood obesity Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern according to the World Health Organization. The number of overweight children has increased significantly in all regions of the world over the past few decades. (WHO) reports, the number of overweight children under the age of five has increased from 32 million globally in 1990 to 41 million in 2016 (WHO, 2019). This trend is not limited to high-income countries, with low- and middle- income countries also experiencing a rapid increase in childhood obesity rates. According to The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reports that in 2017-18, around 1 in 4 (24%) children aged 5-17 were overweight or obese, an increase from 1 in 5 (21%) in 2011- 12 (AIHW, 2019). In Africa alone, the number of overweight children rose from 4 million in 1992 to 10 million in 2012 (Ng et al., 2014). There are many underlying drivers contributing to these upward trends including: 1. Sedentary behaviour: Children are spending more time in front of screens and less time engaging in physical activity. 2. Unhealthy diet: Children are consuming more processed and high-calorie foods, such as sugary drinks, fast food, and snacks. 3. Socio-economic factors: Children from low-income families are more likely to be overweight or obese due to limited access to healthy food and safe places to play. 4. Genetics: Children with a family history of obesity are more likely to develop obesity themselves due to shared environment and eating behaviours. Prenatal and early life factors like maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy can also impact childhood weight outcomes. (Better Health Channel, 2013) To mitigate the upward trend of childhood obesity, these strategies can be implemented: . Promote physical activity: Encourage children to engage in regular physical activity, such as sports, dance, or outdoor play. . Encourage healthy eating: Provide children with access to healthy food options, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit the consumption of sugary drinks and processed foods. . Address socio-economic disparities: Provide low-income families with access to affordable healthy food options and safe places to play. . Educate parents and caregivers: Provide education and resources to help parents and caregivers make healthy choices for their children. . Community-wide programs and changes to the food environment are also important to make healthy choices easier choices for families. Coordinated efforts across multiple sectors of society will be needed to curb childhood obesity trends. (Better Health Channel, 2013)
Activity 2 – Nutrition in adulthood Sue's anthropometrical measurements indicate that she has a height of 172cm, weight of 79kg, waist circumference of 90cm, hips measuring 100cm and a BMI of 26.7 (calculated using her weight and height). These measurements suggest that she may have an increased risk of health issues such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The excess fat around the abdomen can lead to insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, and inflammation, all of which contribute to the development of hypertension (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2013). These measurements indicate the need for dietary and lifestyle modifications to address her current health issues. Analysing Sue's diet, it is high in sodium, The recommended limit for sodium is less than 2,000mg per day, but Sue's intake is well above this. Saturated fats, the recommended intake for saturated fat is less than 10% of total energy intake, but Sue's diet exceeds this. A nd sugars, the recommended limit for added sugars is less than 10% of total energy intake, which can contribute to hypertension. Her breakfast includes salted butter, and her dinner includes added salt, both of which can increase blood pressure. The high sugar content in her diet, from the sugar in her tea, the blueberry muffin, the Tim Tam biscuits, and the milk chocolate, can lead to weight gain and increase her blood pressure. Her diet is also low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are important for maintaining a healthy blood pressure. (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2013) To manage Sue’s hypertension, Sue should consider reducing her sodium intake by choosing unsalted butter and not adding salt to her meals. She should also reduce her sugar intake by choosing healthier snacks and reducing the amount of sugar in her tea. Increasing her intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can also help lower her blood pressure. In addition to dietary changes, increasing her physical activity can also help manage her hypertension. Instead of only walking twice a week, she could aim to walk every day or incorporate other forms of exercise into her routine. It is also important for Sue to manage her stress levels, as stress can increase blood pressure. Techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation can be helpful. Lastly, limiting alcohol intake to moderate levels (up to one drink per day for women) can also help lower blood pressure. By implementing these dietary and lifestyle modifications, Sue may be able to effectively manage her hypertension and improve her overall health without the need for prescription medication. (Heart foundation, 2024). Activity 3 – Nutrition and ageing
a. Protein is crucial for the elderly as it helps to maintain muscle mass and strength, which are essential for mobility and overall quality of life. Adequate protein intake can also help to prevent sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss), malnutrition, and can support immune function. Furthermore, protein can aid in the healing of wounds and the recovery from illnesses, which is particularly important for the elderly who may have a higher risk of falls and diseases. (Eat For Health, 2021) b. The current Australian recommendations suggest that men over 70 years should consume 81g of protein per day, and women over 70 should consume 57g per day. However, some research suggests that these recommendations may be too low, and that a higher protein intake may be beneficial for the elderly. This is because as we age, our bodies become less efficient at using protein, and therefore we may need more of it to maintain muscle mass and strength. The Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) for protein increases in the elderly compared to adults due to these changes in protein metabolism and the increased need for muscle mass maintenance. (Eat For Health, 2021) c. An example of a diet with sufficient protein for an elderly person might include: Breakfast: A bowl of oatmeal with milk and a handful of nuts (15g of protein) Lunch: A chicken salad sandwich (30g of protein) Dinner: A piece of grilled salmon with quinoa and vegetables (40g of protein) This would provide a total of 85g of protein, which aligns with the higher end of the current recommendations. d. If an elderly person is highly active and trains regularly, their protein needs may be higher. This is because exercise increases the body's demand for protein to repair and build muscle. Therefore, active elderly individuals may need to consume more protein to support their increased muscle mass and strength. Current research suggests that active older adults may benefit from consuming up to 1.2g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (Nowson, C., & O'Connell, S. (2015). Activity 4 – Nutrition in non-communicable disease Based on Jim's current health status, it is overly concerning. His weight of 120 kg and height of 181 cm gives him a Body Mass Index (BMI) of approximately 36.6, which classifies him as obese. His waist-to-hip ratio is 1.04, which is above the healthy range and indicates a higher risk of metabolic complications. High Stress, Sedentary Job: Jim's job requires long hours and likely involves sitting for extended periods, which can lead to physical inactivity and contribute to weight gain and health issues.
Poor Diet: Jim's diet lacks balance and contains unhealthy choices such as sugary drinks, high-fat foods like bacon and chocolate brownies, and large portions of processed foods like chips and pasta. These choices can contribute to weight gain, high blood pressure, and other health problems. Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Drinking alcohol every night can negatively impact sleep quality, increase anxiety, and contribute to weight gain and liver problems over time. Irregular Sleep Patterns: Going to bed late and having poor sleep habits can affect Jim's overall health and exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress. Lack of Exercise: Jim used to be active but now does little to no exercise, which can contribute to weight gain, muscle loss, and increase the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. All these factors contribute to his slightly elevated blood pressure of 135/90, which puts Jim at a risk for health complications. Jim is at risk of multiple non-communicable (NCDs) diseases due to his lifestyle and diet. These include Cardiovascular Disease (CVD): Jim's elevated blood pressure, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet high in processed foods and alcohol consumption all increase his risk of CVD. Research has shown that high blood pressure, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and excessive alcohol intake are significant risk factors for developing CVD. Type 2 Diabetes: Jim's sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and poor diet contribute to his risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Lack of exercise, unhealthy eating habits, and excessive alcohol consumption have been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in numerous studies. Obesity: Jim's high calorie intake, poor diet, lack of exercise, and excessive alcohol consumption contribute to his risk of obesity. Research has consistently shown that a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, and excessive alcohol intake are significant contributors to obesity. Liver Disease: Jim's excessive alcohol consumption puts him at risk of developing liver disease, such as fatty liver disease or alcoholic liver disease. Research has established a clear link between alcohol consumption and liver disease, with heavy drinking being a major risk factor. Mental Health Disorders: Jim's high stress levels, poor sleep habits, and alcohol consumption increase his risk of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. Research has shown that chronic stress, poor sleep quality, and excessive alcohol consumption are associated with an increased risk of mental health disorders (World Health Organization (WHO), 2024). By addressing these modifiable risk factors through lifestyle changes such as improving diet, increasing physical activity, reducing alcohol intake, and managing stress, Jim can reduce his risk of developing these non-communicable diseases.
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