A look at the health disparities found in diabetes and obesity based on socio-economic status among African Americans and what can be done to address those disparities.
Abstract The correlation between diabetes and obesity has been long established in recent years. There are strong genetic component and environmental factors that contribute to high prevalence rates of diabetes. The changes in one's lifestyle, sedentary mode of living, poor eating habits and socioeconomic status are significant contributors to the development of diabetes mellitus. Currently, in the U.S. the rate of diabetes is staggering among all age groups, sexes, and ethnic populations. The paper studies the correlation between socioeconomic status, diabetes and obesity and how diabetes in the above mentioned statement as well as other economic and social factors is related.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
What is Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity
History of Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity in America
Factors Created Due to Diabetes
How is Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity Linked?
Proposed Solutions to Combat Disparities
Solutions: Health Literacy Program and Creating Satellites
Conclusion
From the Paper "" In the United States there has been a concurrent increase in the incidence of diabetes and obesity among all age groups and races. This increase has been especially prominent in the African American population, where a large percentage of diabetes cases and complications develop due to lack of access or provision of healthcare. This disparity is also evident in other races, but African Americans possess the genetic tendency to develop diabetes in greater proportions. Obesity patterns have also exponentially increased in this population in the recent years. Therefore, obesity a prime factor in the development of diabetes, has resulted in a elevated increase in the percentage of diabetes cases in the African American population (Department of Health and Human Services, 2003)."
Abstract This paper discusses fat phobia in Western society and how it affects girls and women of all ages. The paper specifically demonstrates how overweight women are the targets of discrimination, hatred and fat-phobia. The paper defines the terms 'fat', 'overweight' and 'obese' and then examines the ways in which fat women are discriminated against.
Table of Content:
Body Image Issues Since 1900
Fat Oppression and Women
From the Paper "Women are far from merely oppressed from the outside. They have internalized the fears and phobias towards fatness, maintaining lives of undue discipline and self-policing of behavior. How many women count their calories or read nutrition labels for fat content while insisting they are not dieting? Women manipulate their lives so that food appears to be a non-issue for them. Men will often whine that they are annoyed when women won't eat in their presence, yet women believe they are doing that so men will find them more attractive. The oppression of fatness in our culture is not one that only affects those deemed 'medically overweight.' Pick up any magazine or watch any television show (particularly during daytime TV) and you will realize how prevalent notions of 'thin is the only option' are. The fat woman in the ad is often portrayed as lonely, searching for a new career and looking for that perfect love. The only way she can ever achieve these goals is to be thin, at any cost."
Abstract This paper discusses the problems of world hunger and specifically analyzes the United Nations' Food World Program. It discusses the aims and objectives of the program and the long term strategy that is needed to reduce chronic hunger. The paper suggests that this particular program remains quite ineffective for long term results and discusses why this is so.
From the Paper "A long term strategy is needed to reduce chronic hunger. Worldwide food aid programs and associations are needed in order to be effective in the long term. First, instead of sending out food and supplies, developed countries need to invest in agriculture in order to promote a country's self-reliance and stability. For instance, if a country is independent of food aid, it will be able to trade with other countries, therefore being able to sell their surplus of food. Furthermore, local governments need to search ways to distribute equally their food to the population in order to promote price stability and reduce chronic hunger; they also need to build some kind of food reserves to be used in cases of emergency. Moreover, investing in women's needs is primordial; investing in health, education and economic well-being of women is a crucial element in the strategy for helping developing countries."
From the Paper "In the Nandini et al group from Mysore, India, the effects of fiber on intestinal and renal disaccharidases were studied in diabetic rats. Diabetes is characterized by high fasting blood glucose, urine glucose, membrane thickening in kidneys, and large volume of urine excretion. It was previously determined that dietary fiber helps to ameliorate some of the symptoms or to control the effects of diabetes. Thus the research group was interested in analyzing the specific effects of certain dietary fibers in diabetic subjects. They further wanted to compare the differences between soluble fiber (guar gum) and insoluble fiber (wheat bran). From these experiments, the group hopes to propose some mechanism by which dietary fiber helps to ameliorate the symptoms manifested in diabetics. "
Abstract This paper is a critical review and "personal" examination of the women's diet book, "The Fit or Fat Woman: Solutions for Women's Unique Concerns." Author Covert Bailey suggests that women have difficulty losing weight because they use diet plans that are designed for a male's physiology and thus the body chemistry of women do not respond as well as men's to male-oriented diet plans. The paper takes a negative perception of Bailey's book, as the author suggests that women can either be "fit" or "fat" and that there is no middle ground where these two elements blend, and that Bailey also uses a degrading writing style in which to address his female readers.
From the Paper "This paper shall examine and address the specifics of Covert Bailey's book on women's health, The Fit or Fat Woman: Solutions for Women's Unique Concerns. Published in 1989 by Houghton Mifflin Co., this book immediately became a best-seller based on its humorous yet accurate examination of women's self-perceptions and issues such as dieting, physical exercise, and proper nutritional balance. Covert Bailey is a biochemist who addresses women's concerns from a fairly unique perspective: Rather than allowing women to burden themselves with diets that address a male physiology and diet, Bailey suggests that women have a body chemistry that differs from that of their male counterparts, resulting in inaccuracies when they use diets that are designed for men. This indicates that the use of these diets, while geared towards a more general state of health, also harms the woman through the time lost through following a male-oriented diet."
This is a research paper written about the history and reputation of the hot dog. It discusses the origin of the hot dog, origin of the word hot dog, and discusses various aspects and impacts of the hot dog's existence in today's American culture.
From the Paper "Although hot dogs originated in Germany, hot dogs are still as American as apple pie. Hot dogs are one of the oldest forms of processed food, having been mentioned in Homer's Odyssey as far back as the 9th Century B.C. (Jackson) At first glance one might think that the Hot Dog has a rather dry history. Upon prying into the archives and prying into the taste buds of the masses, I discovered the hot dogs meaty and controversial history and prominent present gives people plenty to say about the 500 year old dog."
Abstract This paper details through the ages how chocolate has been used in many cultures. It also theorizes on modern day medicinal uses.
From the Paper " Chocolate is eaten all around the world these days, and regarded as quite a delicacy. However, current research speculates whether it is merely a simple dessert or if it holds the key to more practical medicinal uses. Chocolate shows up throughout history and has made it's way around the world to become the cultural staple it is today. Characteristics found in chocolate are also found in several other known simulative products and further research is being done as to its benefits."
Tags: chocolate, foods, health, mayan, medicinal, medicine
"Lipids are hydrocarbons that are found in living systems in the environment. The main classes of lipids are triglycerides, waxes, steroids, phospholipids, gylcolipids, and sphingolipids (Glanze). The simplest lipid, which makes up the backbone of all of these, is the fatty acid (see page 2). The main characteristics that separate the different kinds of lipids are the derivatives, such as acids, alcohols, amines, amino alcohols, and aldehydes, found on the end of the hydrocarbons and their solubility in water. Most lipids are non polar and there for are not soluble in water but instead in fat solvents such as ether, chloroform, and benzene. From these two basic distinctions, there are dozens of possible lipids that can be formed in nature and synthetically (Cooper)."
Abstract This paper discusses eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia, looking at the death rate as well as the characteristics of the disease. Cultural, social and medical factors are discussed. as well as psychological solutions to eating disorders.
From the paper:
"While some of us are capable of scorning this distorted view, others often fall prey and suffer a multitude of problems associated with the means governed towards the perfect body. Instances of Anorexia and Bulimia have now reached an alarming rate and while society is not fully to blame, one must attempt to understand the very root of the problem before attempting to come up with answers".
Abstract The author analyzes the diet and exercise program in the book "Lean Bodies." It looks what kind of food you are allowed to eat and in what quantities. The theory behind the diet's makeup is also discussed. The author's grandmother followed the diet, and her progress is documented in order to support the author's theory that this is a safe, easy and healthy eating plan that a person can follow for life.
From the Paper "This calorie spread will change your biochemistry to burn bodyfat. By eating frequent meals, your metabolism is constantly charged up. Principal three: Choose metabolic-activating foods. Cliff Sheats classifies foods into four groups: lean proteins, starchy carbohydrates, lean fibrous vegetables, and essential fatty acids. Under this principle, your daily food intake should be 25% protein, 65% carbohydrate, and 10% fat. Principal four: Program a moderate aerobic exercise. Exercise has a dramatic impact on metabolism increase if you are eating enough calories to support your extra energy requirements. An aerobic activity several times a week that lasts 45-60 minuets each session is suggested."
Abstract This paper explores the remedies, uses, and history of the herb Ginkgo Biloba. It details it's medical application in mental alertness cases associated with Alzheimer's. The paper shows it usefulness but also includes the myth's associated with the herb such as its ability to improve intelligence and sexual preference.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. What is it?
3. History
4. Brain Booster?
5. Conclusion
6. Outline
From the Paper "As the medical community continues to make advances it seems that we are moving back to the traditional and natural remedies much more often than we have in the past. Herbs and other natural remedies have made a come back and they are stronger than ever. While the medical field and media play out debates concerning many pharmaceuticals the herbs step up to the plate. One popular natural remedy is Ginkgo Biloba. This natural answer to many problems has captured the attention of laymen and doctors alike. Study after study is being conducted on the product as they discover new and innovative potential uses for it. While it may not be the cure all that snake oil was promised to be in the days of the old west, it seems to have enough different types of uses to make it worth a closer look."
Abstract This essay examines the issues of eating in Victorian society through Charlotte Bronte's novel, "Jane Eyre. She uses food as an example of the extent to which Victorian society maintained control over the individual. Other areas explored are in the essay include societal rules, class, morality, sexuality, power and control.
From the Paper "Women did, in fact, have a source of power over men; but the nature of Victorian society ensured that this power remained hidden. Sex, and in particular, female sexuality, were concepts considered too scandalous and immoral to be recognized. Bront therefore employs imagery of eating and starvation to explore the relationship between Jane and Rochester. Jane asserts that "to taste but the crumbs he scattered was to feast genially" (p.243); she is satisfied with just a little romantic attention. Rochester, however, is desperate to possess: "we must become one flesh without delay, Jane" (p.440). The sexual power Jane holds over Rochester can be illustrated when she refuses his company at dinner: they will not eat together until they are married and she "can't help it" (p.268). In this case, the intimacy of eating together replicates the intimacy of sex, and Jane is holding back."
Abstract This paper describes the need and benefits of calcium in our lives and discusses the detrimental or negative effects of overusing calcium resources.
From the Paper "It is obvious, the impact that calcium compounds have on our world today. It goes without saying that our lives would be very different without them. They are an essential mineral to maintain health, and an important component of many things that we need to make our lives better.
However, all of this convenience is not without cost."
Abstract The following paper discusses the foods that Europeans discovered in the New World that helped them to survive in their voyages and explorations for gold. The fact that many of these foods could be packed so as to sustain them on their return journeys was equally important. In addition, in order to understand how Europeans saw the abundance of food available in the New World, it is necessary to consider some of the basic parameters of life in Europe during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries the time in which the New World was being settled by Europeans.
From the Paper "Many things lured Europeans to the New World " gold, God and glory " among others. Finding gold made the voyage worthwhile to many as did land beyond measure and the presence of natives that could be both enslaved and saved. But none of this would have been sufficient had the Europeans not found enough to eat here, for even the most gold-enfevered explorer knows that you cannot eat the precious metal."
