Diet and health
There is a close relationship between diet and health.
Obesity, heart disease and strokes are all associated with an unhealthy diet.
Many people are slow to accept the link between their diet and their health and many fail to change their lifestyle to reduce the risk of these conditions.
For these reasons, it is very hard to control or reduce the number of cases.
Image caption, Poor diet
Eating too much sugar and fat can cause obesity. Obesity can cause cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 diabetes. It can also mean the individual is not getting a balanced diet and is missing out on essential vitamins and minerals.
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Obesity
When someone takes in more energy than they use, they become overweight and eventually obese.
This can lead to a higher chance of heart disease and stroke.
Heart disease
A build-up of cholesterol, in the coronary arteries, causes heart disease.
The coronary arteries become blocked and the heart muscle is starved of glucose and oxygen.
Respiration cannot happen and the heart muscle dies.
Stroke
A build-up of cholesterol, in an artery in the brain, causes a stroke.
The artery becomes blocked and the brain is starved of glucose and oxygen.
Respiration cannot happen and brain cells die.
Reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke
Lifestyle changes:
- Increase exercise.
- Reduce stress.
- Stop smoking.
Diet changes:
- Reduce salt intake.
- Reduce saturated fat intake.
- Reduce cholesterol.
Costs to society
- Medical costs – medicine and highly trained staff are expensive.
- Effect on family – increased stress due to a sick relative and reduced income if the relative is unable to work.
- Effect on society – working age people unable to work. This can cost society a lot of money.
