Abstract This essay focuses on the vegetarian aspects of the Atkins diet, specifically the consequences of this diet on vegetarians. The paper discusses how the the diet is a successful option for meat eaters who wish to loose weight within a short period of time but could be potentially detrimental to vegetarians. The paper focuses on how a vegetarians can accomplish the induction period of the diet, and the problems that vegetarians face attempting low-carbohydrate diets, which omnivores do not have to worry about. It illustrate some of the better known consequences of this diet from scientific findings, opinions of those who have tried it and from personal experience. The paper concludes with some ideas of how a better diet could be created for vegetarians who do wish to lose weight using some of the basics of the science found in the Atkins diet.
From the Paper "To be on the Atkins diet involves an induction period of two weeks. In this initial two weeks, which is known as the "kick start" to the diet, the dieter is to take in less then 20 grams of carbohydrates a day. This means absolutely no wheat or grain products, no sugar or candy of any kind, and no fruit, just to name of few of the product groups forbidden during induction. The scientific purpose of induction includes, breaking certain food addictions, making the switch within your body from carbohydrate burning to fat burning, as well as stabilizing the body's blood sugar levels. ?The name Induction signifies that its purpose is to induce weight loss by changing your body's chemistry so that you will achieve lipolysis and the secondary process of ketosis.? The rules of induction are fairly simple, and the basics are eat regular meals, eat liberally, and watch for hidden carbohydrates. Most importantly it suggests following the acceptable food lists provided by Dr. Atkins."
Abstract This paper explores the causes and symptoms of Osteoporosis, the most common type of metabolic bone disease in the United States, which is characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue making bones fragile and highly susceptible to fractures. The paper lists the causes of osteoporosis, how it affects the body, how people are affected by it psycho-socially, how it is diagnosed, how it is usually treated, new developments in treating the disease, and steps which can be taken to prevent it from occurring. In addition, the appendix provides further information on community resources, places where patients can go for further information on handling osteoporosis, and a nursing care plan for patients with osteoporosis.
From the Paper "Bone is continually being made and reabsorbed to maintain calcium levels in the body and for growth (Yahoo Health, 2000). In adults, the main reason for new bone growth is to repair fractures. Peak bone mass, which occurs at the cessation of growth, is genetically determined. Adequate nutrition during growth is necessary for optimum development of the skeleton, and the most important nutrient for bones is calcium. Insufficient calcium intake results in weaker bones which are more likely to fracture (Dempster and Lindsay, 1993, p. 798). Mechanical stress is also thought to be important in bone maintenance and growth."
Abstract This paper contrasts the eating habits of a 36-year old African American female to the recommended nutrition as represented in the food pyramid. The paper includes a diagram of food pyramid.
Tags: NURSING, HEALTHCARE / HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE ISSUES, nutrition contrasted food
Abstract In this paper, Sydney Mintz's argument that the production and development of the sugar industry directly affected first the British aristocracy and later the common people, effectively altering the diet and lifestyles of Western civilization shall be examined. Mintz's book, "Sweetness and Power: The Place of Sugar in Modern History" is examined.
Abstract This paper will discuss how exercise can help to make life more enjoyable, as well as formulate certain habits that generate longevity in life. By understanding the value of exercise over a lifetime of practice, we can see its value in the long run.
Abstract This paper analyzes Gold's Gym business strategies from several aspects: location, brand awareness, advertising, sponsoring, professionalism, customer service, marketing, and future prospects.
From the Paper "Gold's Gym is the largest fitness and workout center in the US, and the world with over 650 locations, and 3 million members located on every continent, with the exception of Antarctica. The company has gyms and work out centers across the globe, and is known as the "Mecca" in fitness centers. More than just a place to go to "lift weights" or ?work out,?Gold's Gym offers a complete line of fitness options within it's walls. The typical gym has weight training machines for clients to work on the muscular system, and aerobic exercise machines to develop the cardio-vascular system. While these systems are related, Gold's Gym believes in providing an total perspective on health and well-ness, and thus offers the specific machines for clients to work toward complete well being. Gold's Gym also has fitness classes, some of which are included in the membership dues and others which are optional purchases. Many of the centers have tanning facilities, and healthy juice and snack bars."
Abstract This paper examines how Homer's "Odyssey" is superimposed on the backdrop of a typical ancient Greek society. It looks at how the main character, Odysseus, and his companions travel from place to place on their way to their hometown of Ithaka. Many people host them in a show of hospitality common to ancient Greece; a large part of this hospitality involves the preparation of feasts and giving each guest an ample amount of food. It shows how, although food is positively associated with the Greek tradition of hospitality, Homer uses it negatively in the "Odyssey" to represent the gluttony, lack of self-control, and lack of civility of various characters.
From the Paper "Upon landing their ship on an island of Lotus-eaters, Odysseus? own men engage in a gluttonous feast of lotus fruit, which causes them to neglect their duties to Odysseus. They are so hypnotized by the delicious taste that ?"any of them who ate the honey-sweet fruit"was unwilling to take any message back, or to go away, but they wanted to stay there with the lotus-eating people, feeding on lotus, and forget the way home? (IX:94-97). Odysseus, the leader of the group and at this point the only man in full possession of his faculties, finally takes them back ?"weeping, by force, to the ships" under the rowing benches and tied them fast, then gave the order"to embark on the ships in haste, for fear someone else might taste of the lotus and forget the way home"? "
Abstract This paper talks about the seriousness of eating disorders among adolescents and young adults, reviews literature regarding these disorders, and suggests that it is important to raise awareness levels of the problem in order to effectively combat it. The articles reviewed are appended to the paper.
From the Paper "Eating disorders are a big health care problem in the United States. Adolescents in particular, are a most vulnerable group and an increasing number suffer from anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders. Primarily a psychiatric condition, eating disorders can lead to serious consequences if they are not properly identified and treated. Statistics indicate that around .5% of adolescents are Anorexics while the prevalence of Bulimia nervosa is even higher ranging between .5% and 5.8%. Statistics also indicate that around 25% of college going women have a very high risk of developing eating disorders. However the exact figures of the number of people affected by these psychiatric conditions is still elusive as most often the disorder goes unidentified. Adolescents become easy victims to these disorders particularly in our western world where beauty is associated with slim and slender figures. In view of its wide prevalence and deranging effect on the physical and mental wellbeing of the affected individuals as well as the hidden nature of the disorder, it is imperative to increase the awareness about these psychiatric problems among the adolescent community. A review of related literature would help provide a better perspective of the problem."
Abstract This paper explains that a faster-paced lifestyle with more women joining the workforce results in the detriment of "traditional" American family meals, but it is an enormous advantage to the fast food industry; virtually everyone loves fast food, even though there are concerns about health, and the industry is firmly established around the world. The author points out that the multi-billion dollar fast food industry today is said to have been started in 1936 by Maria del Gray, who named the original McDonald's after her fiancee who was killed in a vehicular accident; Ray Kroc later founded the McDonald's franchise system based on del Gray's McDonald's. The paper concludes the process of "McDonaldization" continues to spread the inexorable forces of capitalism and standardized food products around the world; everyone is eating fast foods, even if they are protesting it as soon as they are finished with their burgers and fries.
Table of Contents
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Social Effects
Structural Changes in the Fast Food Industry
Figure: Franchise Percentages Owned by Parent Company as of 1991
Current and Future Trends
"McDonaldization"
Fast Food's Impact on Health
Focus on Service
Conclusion
From the Paper "Today, the fast food industry has evolved in a number of important ways from the early days of Maria del Gray's McDonalds. The fast food industry is highly competitive, but remains fairly homogeneous and nonunion; however, some restaurant outlets are owned and operated by parent companies while others are owned and operated by individual franchisees. In a typical franchise agreement, the franchisor (known as the parent company) grants the franchisee a license to operate a standardized restaurant with a specified technology and widely recognized trademark; in exchange, the franchisee pays the parent company a fixed fee and a monthly royalty on gross sales (Krueger says this is generally 8 percent). In some instances, the franchisee will be required to post an explicit performance bond as well. The total start-up cost of a franchised restaurant in a major chain is ordinarily between $400,000 and $600,000."
Abstract This paper examines the latest media frenzy about the link between fast/junk food and America's ever-increasing trend of obesity, especially in youngsters. The paper argues, however, that obesity trends cannot be blamed on this factor alone.
From the Paper "Finally, some believe that people are to blame for their own fate when it comes to obesity. Americans tend to make poor choices such as knowingly eating high-fat foods, putting taste and convenience ahead of nutrition and avoiding physical activity. Rather than blaming the fast food industry as does Schlosser, advocates of individual responsibility state that "Each of us should be held accountable for our health choices, how much we eat and how much we exercise. Why should the fast-food industry be responsible for our decision to order French fries instead of a salad? We do not have the right to blame the fast-food industry for our choices.""
Abstract This paper argues that although genetically engineered foods do have the potential to slightly improve the world's food supply, there is also the risk of severely damaging the world's eco system. It explains that most people stand on common ground against the genetic engineering of animals, and asks why are so many so relaxed to the dangers of genetics when plants are in question.
From the Paper "In addition to GE foods with higher nutritional content, biotech companies are starting to brand edible vaccines. Currently, vaccine treatment is very expensive and put out of reach of areas of poverty due to refrigeration costs and the need for a skilled person to give the injection. Biotech companies have used these points to make edible vaccines sound very promising, claiming foods could be genetically engineered to contain an affordable supply of necessary vaccinations. However, this is just another technology in which many holes can easily be pointed out. Few vaccines are absorbed well through the stomach due to either being to large to cross the gut wall and/or are easily broken down by enzymes in the stomach, in addition to the fact that it would be very difficult to determine proper doses (GAIN). There is also a serious concern for the release of any genetically manipulated organism; particularly in the case of vaccines due to their disease causing potential (GAIN). Imagine the possible ecological effects an entire field of a GE crop exposing a vaccine to any animals or insects which might feed on it. Also, there would still be considerable cost to edible vaccine, not real reductions as biotech companies might claim."
This paper discusses issues of good health: Proper nutrition and exercise and the negative effects of smoking, alcohol and performance enhancing steroids.
Abstract This paper relates that increasing complexity means that nutrition researchers today advocate a holistic approach; therefore, its is best to eat a wide variety of fresh, unprocessed and un-manufactured food. The author points out that people who are exposed to second-hand or side-stream smoke also are at risk for health issues because this smoke not only contains the same dangerous contaminants as the inhaled smoke but also the exhaled smoke particles are smaller and can reach distant sites in the lungs of involuntary or passive smoker, doing great harm. The paper stresses that alcohol abuse can affect nearly every organ system in the body, such as cirrhosis of the liver, aggravate existing condition, such as diabetes and harm every aspect of the person's life, including family conflict, arrests, job instability and psychological symptoms related to depression and anxiety.
Table of Contents
The Importance of Proper Nutrition
The Importance of Proper Exercise
Negative Side Effects of Smoking
Negative Side Effects of Alcohol
Negative Effects of Performance Enhancing Steroids
From the Paper "There are many common myths surrounding exercise, some of which have a basis in reality, while others are simply false. For example some believe that doing sit-ups is the best way to reduce belly fat, however, this is not true, sit-ups may improve the size and shape of core muscles and reduce the appearance of belly fat, however, the belly fat will often be the last fat removed from the body, because most of the energy derived from fat gets to the muscle through the bloodstream and reduces stored fat in the entire body. Another myth is that only overweight people or people in ill health need to consult a physician before beginning an exercise program. Even apparently healthy people may have unknown medical conditions, such as a heart murmur, that can cause severe injury or death."
Abstract The paper studies the use of the nutrient creatine to assist with muscle building, particularly in the area of weight lifting. It reviews research on the topic of whether oral creatine increases maximal strength and power. The author concludes that oral creatine supplements combined with resistance training does improve maximal weight life in young men.
From the Paper "Creatine is a nutrient made from three amino acids which is found in body muscles, Sahelian. There have been many claims that taking creatine supplements can assist with muscle building a fact that makes it of key ..."
Abstract This paper discusses Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, dietary recommendations, and a nursing plan for patients with IDA. It also looks at how iron is absorbed by cells of the small intestine and how it is transported through the body to erythropoietic cells.
From the Paper "There are several different classifications of anemia depending on the underlying pathophysiology. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common type of anemia encountered both in underdeveloped and in developed countries and is due to a decrease in the number of red cells because of a lack of sufficient iron. Iron is an essential component in the production of hemoglobin the oxygen-carrying pigment in erythrocytes and is normally obtained in the diet."
Tags: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), causes, diagnosis, treatment, nursing plan
Abstract This paper looks at the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, and carbohydrate digestion and absorption. The paper also outlines the problems posed by the breakdown of nutrients in the body.
From the Paper "The problems posed by nutrients are breaking down the food products which contain them and getting them into the circulation for distribution to the parts of the body where they can be used. Food first enters the mouth where it is broken down by the teeth and partially dissolved by the saliva. It is then passed through the pharynx and down the esophagus to the stomach where digestion begins. The churning actions of the stomach wall break down food particles and hydrochloric acid activates pepsinogen to produce the..."
Tags: nutrient absorption, carbohydrate digestion and absorption
