Controlling the global obesity epidemic
The challenge

At the other end of the malnutrition scale, obesity is one of today’s most blatantly visible – yet most neglected – public health problems. Paradoxically coexisting with undernutrition, an escalating global epidemic of overweight and obesity – “globesity” – is taking over many parts of the world. If immediate action is not taken, millions will suffer from an array of serious health disorders.

Obesity is a complex condition, one with serious social and psychological dimensions, that affects virtually all age and socioeconomic groups and threatens to overwhelm both developed and developing countries. In 1995, there were an estimated 200 million obese adults worldwide and another 18 million under-five children classified as overweight. As of 2000, the number of obese adults has increased to over 300 million. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the obesity epidemic is not restricted to industrialized societies; in developing countries, it is estimated that over 115 million people suffer from obesity-related problems.

Generally, although men may have higher rates of overweight, women have higher rates of obesity. For both, obesity poses a major risk for serious diet-related noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer. Its health consequences range from increased risk of premature death to serious chronic conditions that reduce the overall quality of life.

The response: making healthy choices easy choices

World Health Organization began sounding the alarm in the 1990s, spearheading a series of expert and technical consultations. Public awareness campaigns were also initiated to sensitize policymakers, private sector partners, medical professionals and the public at large. Aware that obesity is predominantly a “social and environmental disease”, WHO is helping to develop strategies that will make healthy choices easier to make.

In collaboration with the University of Sydney (Australia), WHO is calculating the worldwide economic impact of overweight and obesity. It is also working with the University of Auckland (New Zealand) to analyse the impact that globalization and rapid socioeconomic transition have on nutrition and to identify the main political, socioeconomic, cultural and physical factors which promote obesogenic environments.

Segundo o texto, pessoas obesas ou com sobrepeso correm o risco de desenvolver sérios problemas de saúde.

Read the text and answer question.

Laura had parked her car________________ a local shopping
mall, and she was taking a shortcut through the side door
________________ a restaurant. Halfway across the restaurant,
she spotted her father eating a hamburger and French fries;
[5] he often eats there. She sneaked up behind him, put her
hand over his shoulder, took a French fry off the plate,
dipped it in the ketchup, and ate it. Then she realized that
the man was not her father! She was so embarrassed! She
couldn't say a word!

Read the cartoon and answer the following question:

How many steps does it take to avoid a heart attack? Researchers find out.

Walking can lower your risk of having a heart attack, as any doctor will tell you. Now scientists have found out exactly how many steps it takes to keep your ticker healthy.

Even people who are at risk for diabetes can cut their risk for heart-related events like a heart attack or stroke by 8%.

In new research published in the journal Lancet, scientists report that among people with early signs of pre-diabetes, taking an extra 2,000 steps a day – the equivalent of 20 minutes of moderate-paced walking – helped them lower their chances of heart problems.

The research team looked at data from 9,306 adults from

40 countries participating in a trial called NAVIGATOR. All of the volunteers were assigned to a program to lose weight and exercise 150 minutes a week. They were given pedometers that they wore for a week at the beginning of the study, and again a year later.

Using statistical modeling, the researchers studied the association between the number of steps the participants took on average and their relative risk for heart events in that year, accounting for potentially confounding factors that could influence heart disease rates such as diet and the participants’ previous history of heart issues.

Two thousand steps seemed to be the magic number. Even before the study began, for every 2,000 steps a day one participant tended to walk on average compared to another, he enjoyed a 10% lower rate of heart problems by the end of the year. During the study year, there was an additional 8% lower risk of heart disease for every 2,000 steps walked a day.

That should be encouraging news to those who have added exercise to their daily routine. You don’t have to take your doctor’s word for it — now there’s pretty convincing data on exactly how much walking it takes to avoid heart disease.

With the Internet, the World is yours!

TEXT 2

Viagra abuse in teens
There are several reasons why teenagers may experiment with erectile dysfunction medication. Of course, a common reason why teens may be tempted to take an erectile dysfunction (ED) medication is out of sexual curiosity. Teens may mistakenly think that these medications will increase sexual potency, make them somehow “better” sexually, or make them last longer. Premature ejaculation is common in this age group, and they may be hoping to find a pill to help. However, they do not realize that Viagra will not help them last longer.
Beyond sexual curiosity, another major reason why some teenagers may think they want Viagra or other erectile dysfunction drugs is that they may have heard a rumor that it can improve their athletic performance. Research has been discussed in The NY Times and NY Daily News about the use of Viagra to relieve constriction of blood vessels in the lungs, improving blood flow, breathing, and athletic endurance.
Another reason why teens may try Viagra or another erectile medication is to attempt to increase the effect of other drugs or alcohol; despite the fact that this is a very dangerous use of these medications. Sometimes this is also related to sports performance, as someone on steroids may think it will enhance the effect of the steroids, or resolve steroidrelated erectile dysfunction. There have also been reports of teenagers and twentysomethings taking Viagra with alcohol or with Ecstasy (the combination called “Sextasy”), since Ecstasy or alcohol may heighten desire while lessening erectile ability. This dangerous combination could be deadly, and at the very least contributes to a reduction of safer sex practices.
Teenagers, (or anyone of any age who does not have clinically diagnosed erectile dysfunction and a prescription from a doctor), must stay away from Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, or any other erectile dysfunction medication. They can certainly cause physical side effects like dizziness, headache, chest tightness, vision problems including loss of vision, irregular heartbeat, and more severe issues. Teachers and parents must teach teenagers about drugs — and sex.
Adaptado de: <http://sarilocker.com/blog/2009/07/31/viagra-abusein- teens/> Acessado em 01 de maio de 2015.