Diet
- The human body requires a balanced diet
- An unhealthy diet can cause various health problems
- Obesity, diabetes and heart disease are on the increase
- Many people nowadays rely on fast food or pre-prepared meals
- These foods often contain too much fat, salt and sugar
- They are cheap to buy and very easy to prepare
- Many young people have grown up on a diet of convenience foods
- Populations in developed countries are increasingly overweight
Exercise
- Regular exercise is essential in maintaining a healthy body
- Exercise burns calories and helps to build healthy bones and muscles
- Doctors advise exercising at least three times a week for 20 minutes
- Most people nowadays lead a sedentary lifestyle
- We tend to walk less and do desk jobs
- Most adults relax by watching television
- Children play video games rather than doing outdoor sports
- In the past, people were more active in their jobs and at home
Government’s Role
- Governments have a significant role to play in reducing obesity
- More and more people, including young children are seriously overweight
- They are at risk of heart disease and diabetes
- This situation will increase the burden on hospitals and taxpayers
- Hospitals rely on the government for money and resources
- Governments should promote a healthy diet and regular exercise
- There should be more time for sports on school timetables
- Unhealthy junk food should be banned from school menus
- People need information about what foods contain
- Food packaging must show the food’s nutritional content
- The government should recommend eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day
State Health System: Advantages
- Good healthcare should be available to everyone for free
- State healthcare is paid by the government using money from taxes
- Everyone has access to the same quality of care and treatment
- Private healthcare is unfair because only wealthy people can afford it
- The National Health Service in the UK provides free healthcare for every resident
Private Healthcare: Advantages
- State hospitals are often very large and difficult to run
- Private hospitals have shorter waiting lists for operations and appointments
- Patients can benefit from faster treatment
- Many people prefer to pay for a personal service
- Patients have their own room and more comfortable facilities
Alternative Medicine: Positives
- People are increasingly using alternative medicines to treat illnesses
- For example, acupuncture can be used to treat backache
- Herbal medicines can be used to treat allergies or viruses
- Many patients report positive experiences with these treatments
- Some traditional cures have been used for hundreds of years
Alternative Medicine: Negatives
- Many alternative medicines have not been tested scientifically
- They may have no beneficial effect at all
- They may cause unknown side effects
- People should trust the opinions of qualified doctors
- An illness could get worse without treatment from a doctor
Stress
- Modern lifestyles are increasingly stressful
- People work long hours with strict deadlines
- Our busy lifestyles mean we have less time to relax
- Unemployment is a major cause of stress
- Children may be affected by their parents’ relationship problems
- Tests and exams can also cause stress
How to Reduce Stress
- Stress can be reduced by taking regular exercise and eating a healthy diet
- It is also important to get sufficient sleep and make leisure time a priority
- People should work less overtime and take regular holidays
- Schools have started to employ psychologists
- They can offer emotional support to students
- They can help students to cope with exam stress
