lesson on weight maintanance

Life Science: Maintaing a healthy weight 1

Mavhungu Nditamani 201320186Unit 6

Life Science Lesson Topic: Maintaining a healthy Weight

Grade: 10


Lesson outcomes By the end of this chapter, learners should be able

to: Define what is a healthy weight Calculate their Body mass index Define what obesity is Explain what implication does obesity have on a

person Name diseases associated with obesity


Continued learning outcomes

Give possible treatments for obesity that are scientifically proven

Explain the impact of not eating on a body Define anorexia List the symptoms of anorexia Treatment of anorexia Tabulate the difference between obesity and

anorexia


Introduction

Maintaining healthy weight has been a struggle for centuries.

In this struggle many people has resulted with one of the two extreme conditions which are obesity and anorexia.

In this chapter, we’ll learn about these two conditions.


Obesity is a challenge that has been going on for a long period for long.

It mostly affects the children and adolescents and it is on the rise

Obesity increases chances of developing various diseases with age

In South Africa overweight and obesity varies with age, gender and population group.


There is also a great amount of people who suffer from anorexia nervosa

This is caused by eating very little portions of food or exercising non-stop. In some cases not eating at all.

Mostly those people see themselves as being very fat and therefore want to fast to loose some body fat

The BMI of an anorexic person is less than 18.5


Healthy Weight

The Body mass index (BMI) is a measurement that determine the weight of a person and we could be able to assess it

BMI formula:


This formula will give you your body mass index (BMI). The obesity is diagnosed when the (BMI) is 30 or more, Refer to the table below to learn more about BMI.


Body mass index

BMI determine whether a person falls within a healthy weight range

Each individual has a unique body make up. Variation of individual’s BMI can be based on

gender and age Athletes will have greater BMI because of their

muscles than body fat Ladies always have more fat than men Older people have more body fats than younger

ones


Obesity Obesity refers to “excessive accumulation of fat in a body to

the extent that it may affect the health and well-being of the individual”.

Obesity increase the risk for the development of non-communicable diseases during childhood and adolescence


Causes of obesity

Geneticso Research shows that genetic factors are a link between

heredity and obesity. •Genes affect the amount of body fat we store and where to store,


Consumption of high energy fast food

Obesity occurs when a person consumes more calories than his/her body needs.

Excess calories are stored as fat in a person’s body


Medication

Drug induced weight gain increases chances of obesity

Examples: diabetic treatment Contraceptives Steroids Anti-depressants


Inactivity

Lower to no physical activity levels Most people spend most of their time watching television

and surfing the internet


Culture In most of the African cultures, the bigger a person

is, the healthier they are thought to be. Being fat was associated with wealth Japanese Sumo wrestlers are also obese people

for the sake of the game


Diseases associated with obesity

Diabetes High blood pressure Heart disease Cancer Decrease in life expectancy


Possible treatment methods

Get assistance from health professional team that may include the physician, a psychologist or psychiatrist, physical and exercise therapists, and dietitians amongst others

Surgery has proved to be the most effective method of treatment

Physical activity such as exercise Dietary change Weight loss medication (Prescription based)


Prevention

Prevention is always the best option. You can prevent obesity by:

o Exercising regularlyo Monitoring your weighto Eat healthy o Regular visits to the doctor for check ups


Anorexia

Anorexia is a mental-disorder characterized by an endless desire to lose weight by refusing to eat.

Anorexia often has certain behaviors that associate with not eating and may or may not consist of ways to “purge” food from the victims body.

But usually anorexia will consist of trying to lose weight by not eating or exercising too much.


Symptoms of Anorexia

Dieting despite being thin – Following a severely restricted diet. Eating only certain low-calorie foods. Banning “bad” foods such as carbohydrates and fats.

Obsession with calories, fat grams, and nutrition – Reading food labels, measuring and weighing portions, keeping a food diary, reading diet books.

Dramatic weight loss – Rapid, drastic weight loss with no medical cause.

Depression and low self-esteem Fatigue, dry skin, headaches and hair loss


Cause of anorexia

Fear of gaining weight Desire to look like models from fashion magazines Wanting to feel valued based on their weight Emotional needs not being met Fear of developing into matured adults


Effects of anorexia

Poor circulation Low blood pressure Brittle bones Increased facial hair Loss of periods/infertility


More effects of Anorexia

Fainting and dizziness Hair loss Dehydration Kidney damage Low body temperature


Sicknesses associated with anorexia• Heart problems • Osteoporosis • Mental health issues• Kidney failure•


Treatment for anorexia

Seek professional help from health practitioners Seek assistance from friends and family Gaining and maintaining weight.

Life Science: Maintaining a healthy weight 28

References Jain. A., Treating obesity in individuals and populations (2005), BMJ Knowledge Martinez. J.A. Body-weight regulation: causes of obesity, (2000)Department of

Physiology and Nutrition, University of Navarra Rob woods Johnson foundation, Overweight and Obesity Among African-

American Youths. (2010) Rossouw H.A, Grant C.C, Viljoen M., Overweight and obesity in children and

adolescents: The South African problem. S Afr J Sci. (2012);108(5/6), Art. #907, 7 pages. http:// dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajs. v108i5/6.907

Sidiropoulos. M., Anorexia Nervosa: The physiological consequences of starvation and the need for primary prevention efforts.(2007) McGill Journal of Medicine

Stark. C. All about Anorexia Nervosa. (2000), The mental health foundation.

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