Health psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Health psychology - Essay Example She is overweight, which is likely to be the contributing factor to her obesity. She is being regularly seen by her GP for monitoring. Her GP has recommended a change of diet and an increase in activity in order to manage her diabetes without being overly dependent on insulin injections. No improvements in Andrea’s condition were however seen. The GP suspects that she is not complying with his advice. Andrea however claims that she has changed her eating habits and has resorted to walking instead of taking the bus to work every day. Historical and conceptual background of the problem The issue of diabetes was first seen about 1550BC when an Egyptian papyrus described a disease which can cause a person to rapidly lose weight and to urinate frequently (Diabetes.uk, 2011). More references to this disease were seen in other ancient societies, including the Greeks, where they speak of a disease which manifests with excessive thirst, excessive urination, and loss of weight. Aretaeus , a Greek physician, named the disease â€Å"diabetes,† a word which means â€Å"flowing through† (Diabetes.uk, 2011). During the 19th century, more tests were developed which made it possible to test the presence of excess sugar in the urine. Attempts at treating this disease were attempted but were initially unsuccessful. During the Franco-Prussian War, a treatment which primarily involved a restricted diet was implemented and this diet seemed to be effective in managing the disease (Diabetes.uk, 2011). Microscopic studies by Philip Langerhans around this time also helped identify the tiny cell islands in the pancreas. Barron, in the 1920s related Langerhan’s cells to diabetes. Insulin was also identified and linked with the pancreas and diabetes. The treatment of this disease has improved significantly since then (Diabetes.uk, 2011). However, it remains one of the most difficult and delicate diseases to manage in health care. It has been known to cause variou s health complications, including organ damage and heart disease. Diet is said to be one of the major contributors to the rising rates of diabetes in the population. This diet is largely based on a high fat, high cholesterol, and high carbohydrate diet found in the foods currently consumed by the general population. Unhealthy diets often cause the increase of glucose in the blood—more than what the insulin can carry and bring to the pancreas for processing (Leslie and Robbins, 1995). Moreover, researchers have also established the condition known as endoplasmic reticulum stress triggered by a high fat diet. This stress causes the increased production of glucose in the liver which is a crucial step towards insulin resistance (Salk Institute, 2009). A major concern in the food industry and in health is the fact that more and more people prefer to eat in fast foods. These fast food chains sell foods which are high in fat, in sodium, and in carbohydrate content, thereby increasin g the prevalence of obesity in the general population (VOA News, 2005). Many working professionals who are too busy to go home and cook home cooked and healthy meals are also opting for fast foods. Andrea is no doubt one of these individuals who have been drawn into this type of diet. She occupies a managerial position which likely leaves room for healthy eating which also implies her indulgence in fast foods for her regular meals. The diabetes issue in Andrea’

Cosmetic mutilation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cosmetic mutilation - Research Paper Example This is contrary of things since a good number of people have tattooed their bodies. They are not afraid of the reparations during the judgment day. Also they are not into the teachings of the Bible. All they want is to live their own life that they feel satisfied with regardless of the Christian teachings and morals. This clearly shows that people have parted Christianity and fallen into paganism. It might be true that paganism has highly boosted cosmetic mutilation but when it comes to America, it is the contrary of things. American people engaged themselves into cosmetic mutilation so as to look different from one another. Others could tattoo their bodies because they didn’t like the way they were looking (Spangler 98). Since a lot of people in America considered tattoos as beautiful drawings of art, they could do anything to make their bodies more attractive than before and most probably, they could tattoo their bodies. According to LDS research, about 64% of women and 50% of men in the United States were not pleased or rather were not satisfied with their own bodies. They had a negative perspective of their bodies. This forces them to do some art drawings on their bodies. Something that makes them feels so attractive than before. Consequently, this hot trend has become so common in the United States. It implies that, cosmetic mutilation has become a cultural habit within the people of America. Cosmetic mutilation started a long time ago. Almost 12000 years before the birth of Christ. It had so many significances in different societies both before and after the deathof Christ. United States military used to tattoo their inmates so as to differentiate them from others. Before they adopted this idea of practicing cosmetic mutilation, in the earlier 1720’s, the military used to chop off ears and noses from the criminals as a sign of physical punishment. This was