Lifestyle and Health Issues

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 Introduction - Lifestyle
• Health is an important factor that contribute to
human well – being and economic growth.
• On the other hand presently women in India
experience a multitude of health problems.
• Young Indian girls and women are facing a tough
task in their lifestyle.
• They compare themselves with others
• Try to copy and found difficult to follow.
• Didn’t care about health in their ages in between
20s and 30s.
• Stress themselves too much and suffer.
• Lose their sleep and suffer in future
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 What is Health
• Health is the state of complete physical, mental
and spiritual well – being and not merely an
absence of disease or infirmity. (WHO, 1978)
(Medical Model of Health)
• Health refers to proper functioning of the body
and the mind, as well as, the capacity to
participate in social activities performing the
roles expected by society. (Social Model of
Health)

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Some facts about Women’s Health In India:
• Nutritional deprivation has major
consequence of different ailments. Only small
proportion of women in India are consuming a
balanced diet.

• Deficient intakes of essential nutrients such as

Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Folic acid,
Vitamin-A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin-C are found
more in large proportion to young women in
India.

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 Why look at WOMEN’S health?
• Women are role models for family members
• Women’s bodies, thoughts, attitudes, actions,
and “world” are VERY different than those of
men’s
• Women make health care decisions
• 2/3 of women are solely responsible for family
health care decisions

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 A woman’s health
is a reflection of her…

Family genetics
Culture
Social norms
Economics
Physical environment
Daily actions and thoughts
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 Some differences can be explained…
• Culture – low self-esteem, stress, lack of assertiveness,
less active, male decision-making, female roles (family
needs come 1st)
• Barriers – lower income, less insurance, child/parent
care responsibilities
• Attitudes – emphasis on physical appearance, lower
educational expectations
• Hormones – may protect against heart disease, but after
menopause there is more risk

…And some have not yet been discovered!

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 What are the Common health issues that affect
young women's health?

• Eating Disorders (Teen) • Douching

• Periods (Teen) • Endometriosis
• Gynecologist (Teen) • Fertility
• Hair Removal (Teen) • Pregnancy
• Vaginal Discharge (Teen) • Abortion
• Breast Health (Teen) • Birth Control
• The Hymen (Teen) • Vaginal Infections

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 Eating Disorders
• Eating disorders affect millions of people around
the world.
• They’re most common in cultures that focus on
weight and body image and can affect people of
all genders, races, ages, and ethnic
backgrounds.
• Eating disorders have serious health
consequences and require treatment.

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 What are eating disorders?
• Eating disorders are complicated psychological
conditions that affect a person’s physical and
emotional health.
• They involve intense emotions and behaviors
about food.
• Eating disorders are very dangerous illnesses
and can lead to permanent physical and
psychological consequences if left untreated.

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 Five classifications of feeding and eating disorders
Anorexia •Involves food restriction (limiting or not
(pronounced: an- having certain foods or food groups).
or -rex-e-ah •People with anorexia drastically limit their
food intake and have an intense fear of
gaining weight, even though they are
significantly low weighted.
Bulimia •Involves cycles of binge eating followed by a
(pronounced: purging behavior.
bull-e-me-ah) • People with bulimia will eat an unusually
large amount of food in a short period of time
and then exercise excessively or purge by self-
inducing vomiting, using laxatives, enemas, or
diuretics in an attempt to avoid gaining
weight. 11
Binge eating •Involves eating an unusually large amount of food in a
disorder short period of time and feeling a loss of control during
this episode.
•People with binge eating disorder do not purge
afterwards, but often feel shame or guilt about their
binge eating.
Other specified •Involves some combination of symptoms of the other
feeding or eating eating disorders such as an intense fear of weight gain
disorder (OSFED) and a preoccupation with food (thinking about food or
having food related thoughts most of the day).
Avoidant restrictive •A person who has ARFID does not eat enough which is
food intake marked by unhealthy weight, nutritional deficiency,
disorder (ARFID) and/or interference with social functioning.
•The main difference between anorexia and ARFID is that
someone with ARFID does not have a fear of gaining
weight or body image concerns.
•ARFID may be characterized by a limited list of foods
someone will eat, extreme pickiness, or fear or adverse
reaction to food such as choking or vomiting. 12
Eating Disorders: Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa:
Physical:
• Brittle nails
• Constant tiredness
• Constipation (trouble having
regular and soft bowel
movements)
• Dehydration (not enough
fluids in the body)
• Dizziness
• Dramatic weight loss
• Dry skin
• Extreme thinness
• Growth of lanugo (soft furry
hair) on face, back, and
arms
• Hair loss
• Loss of periods
(amenorrhea)
• Low blood pressure and
irregular heartbeat
• Orangey color to the skin
• Paleness
• Poor concentration
• Sensitivity to cold
• Slow heart rate
• Slow or stunted growth
• Swelling of legs, feet, or
ankles
• Weak bones (that can lead
to fracture and
osteoporosis)
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Emotional:
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Denial of a problem
• Depression
• Distorted body image (believes their body looks
different than it actual does)
• Fear of weight gain
• Irritability
• Lack of emotion
• Low self-esteem
• Obsession with food
• Perfectionism
• Withdrawal from friends and activities
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 Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa:
Physical:
• Constipation (trouble having regular
and soft bowel movements)
• Dehydration (not enough fluids in
the body)
• Dry, flaky skin
• Electrolyte problems (not the right
balance of the fluids in the body)
• Irregular heartbeat (caused by low
potassium levels)
• Irregular periods
• Sore throat
• Swollen face (from extra fluid in the
body or enlarged salivary glands)
• Tooth decay/loss (cavities, loose
teeth)
• Weight fluctuations (weight loss
and gain)
Emotional:
• Anger that is hard to control
• Denial of a problem
• Depression or anxiety
• Distorted body image (believes
that their body looks different
than it actually does)
• Fear of weight gain
• Impulsivity
• Intense focus on “flaws” and
physical appearance
• Shame or guilt
• Withdrawal from friends
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 Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder:
Physical:
• Gallbladder disease
• High blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Insulin resistance
• Joint pain
• Type II Diabetes
• Weight gain

Emotional:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Shame, loneliness, and self-hatred
• Withdrawal from friends
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 Body Image and Self-Esteem
• Girls are constantly exposed to unrealistic
standards in the media such as airbrushed
images, very skinny models, and constant
celebrity images on social media and may feel
pressure to lose weight or look a certain way.
• Because of these pressures, many teens develop
negative body image and self-esteem.
• Although it’s normal for girls to not feel
completely content with their bodies especially
during puberty, it’s important for Girls to find
ways to feel comfortable with the natural shape
and size of their bodies.
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 Body distortion
• Body distortion is when someone sees their body
shape, size and appearance differently from what
everyone else sees.
• Body distortion causes a person to over-focus on
flaws or imperfections that they are insecure about.
• Most people who struggle with an eating disorder
have body distortion issues.
• These are very hard to get rid of, because they often
worry about how they look and what people think
of them.
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 How do I improve my body image?
• Write down things that your body can do when it’s
healthy (running, dancing, biking, etc.).
• Write down 10 qualities you like about yourself
(caring, responsible, funny, smart, creative etc.).
• Make a list of accomplishments you are proud of.
• Buy clothes that you feel comfortable in and give
away any that make you feel self-conscious or
uncomfortable.
• Relax using all your senses. Take a bath, listen to
music, play a game, sing, or meditate.
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• Spend time with positive people who make you
feel comfortable and you can be yourself around.
• Remind yourself that everyone’s body is unique
and not everyone is meant to be the same shape
or size.
• Be critical of advertisements, magazines and the
media. Many people will write letters to a
company if they find their ads or articles
upsetting or hurtful.
• Make yourself smile when you look in the mirror.
It might feel weird at first, but after a while, you
could start to notice a difference in the way you
see yourself.
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 Consequences
The consequences of eating disorders can be severe:
• 1 in 10 cases lead to death by starvation
• Eating disorders can cause cardiac arrest
• Those with eating disorders are more likely to attempt
suicide
• Fortunately, increasing awareness of the dangers of
eating disorders, sparked by medical studies and
extensive media coverage of the illness, has led many
people to seek help.
• Nevertheless, some people with eating disorders refuse
to admit they have a problem and do not get treatment.
Family members and friends can help recognize the
problem and encourage the person to seek treatment.

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 What happens when U didn’t eat properly?
• Heart & Circulation: The heart is a muscle that can shrink and
weaken when a person doesn’t eat. This can create circulation
problems and an irregular and very slow heartbeat. Blood pressure
can get very low during starvation and makes a person feel dizzy
when they stand up.
• Stomach: The stomach becomes smaller when a person doesn’t eat
so when they start eating again, the stomach is likely to feel
uncomfortable (stomach aches and/or gas). Also, the stomach will
not empty as fast making a person feel full longer.
• Intestines: The intestines will move food slowly often resulting in
constipation (trouble having a bowel movement) and/or stomach
aches or cramps when eating meals.
• Brain: The brain, which controls the rest of the body’s functions,
does not work properly without food. For example, a person may
have trouble thinking clearly or paying attention and/or they could
also feel anxious or sad. 22
• Body Cells: The balance of electrolytes in the blood can be
changed with malnutrition or with purging. Without food, the
amount of potassium and phosphorous can get dangerously low
which can cause problems with muscles, changes in brain
functioning, and cause life-threatening heart and rhythm
problems.
• Bones: When a person doesn’t eat, their bones often become
weak due to low calcium and low hormone levels, which
increases the risk of getting broken bones now and developing
weak bones when older.
• Body Temperature: The body naturally lowers its temperature in
times of starvation to conserve energy and protect vital organs.
When this happens, there is a decrease in circulation (blood flow)
to fingers and toes which will often cause hands and feet to feel
cold and look bluish.
• Skin: Skin becomes dry when the body is not well hydrated and
when it does not get enough vitamins and minerals from food.
The skin will naturally protect the body during periods of
starvation by developing fine, soft hair called “lanugo” that covers
the skin to keep the body warm.
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• Hair: When hair doesn’t get enough nourishment from
the vitamins and minerals that are naturally found in
healthy food, it becomes dry, thin and it can even fall
out.
• Nails: Nails require nutrients in the form of vitamins
and minerals from the diet. When a person doesn’t
eat, they deny their body what it needs and the nails
become dry and brittle and break easily.
• Teeth: Teeth need vitamin D and calcium from food
sources. Without both of these minerals, a person can
end up with dental problems such as tooth decay and
gum disease. Purging can also destroy tooth enamel.

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 Healthy eating
• Healthy eating is important for both your mind and body.
• The goal of healthy eating is to keep your body nourished,
energized, and strong.
• Eating in a healthy way helps you concentrate and learn in
school, reach and maintain a healthy weight, grow to your
maximum height, and stay strong.
• Healthy eating is not supposed to be strict; it is flexible and
may differ from person to person.
• It involves eating regular meals and snacks, along with
occasional treats.
• To eat healthy, you must eat foods from all of the food
groups (carbohydrates, protein, fruits, vegetables, dairy,
and fats) because each group has different benefits. 25
• Carbohydrates: The carbohydrates in foods like grains and
starchy vegetables supply your brain and your muscles with
energy. They help keep your mind sharp and focused, and
are needed for sports performance. Carbohydrates provide
energy to all of the cells in your body and whole grains
provide the fiber you need for normal digestion.

• Dairy: Vitamin D and calcium-rich dairy foods help keep

your bones strong. The protein in dairy foods also helps
keep you full between meals. Soy milk is a diary alternative
that provides similar amounts of these important nutrients.

• Fruits/Veggies: These foods contain many important

vitamins and minerals, and the fiber you need for normal
digestion. 26
• Protein: Protein has lots of important functions in your body from
nourishing your hair to repairing and building muscles.

• Fats: Fats found in oils (such as canola oil or olive oil), nuts, nut
butters, and fish are great for your heart and your skin. Eating these
and other fats such as cheese and butter with meals and snacks can
boost your hormone levels, which may help regulate your periods.

• Meal plans: Meal plans are designed to help you transition back to
healthy eating. We get a meal plan that breaks down each meal into
servings of food (called “exchanges”) from the different food groups.
Each meal should include exchanges from all or most of the food
groups, and the number of exchanges you need from each food
group will be based on your nutritional needs.

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• Snacks: Healthy snacks give you energy between
meals and prevent you from getting overly hungry.
Healthy snacks should be made of two or more food
groups.

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