REFLECTION

Discussion was one of my favorite part of this class. I was required to post and respond to two classmates. It was interesting to read and learn from my classmates, they provided differing and new perspectives on the subject matter. I felt I learned more from my classmates than the textbook because they were very thorough and willing to answer my questions.

The six discussions I chose below provided health information that I will need as a future nurse. Infectious diseases discussion teaches about the spread of diseases via direct or indirect contact. Fast food analysis educates on the unhealthy sources of beef patties and poor food choices. Identifying my stressors taught me how to handle and manage stress. Aerobic versus Anaerobic defines the difference between oxygen-dependent workouts and ATP-dependent workouts. Nutrition labels enumerates the types of nutrient and their percent daily value in Triscuit crackers. Choices and consequences discuss the example of Matt Maher, a young man who became “That Guy” by driving drunk and killing a man.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The film on infectious diseases was very educational and informative. Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi; the diseases can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another. Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms — such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Many organisms live in and on our bodies. They’re normally harmless or even helpful, but under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease. Some infectious diseases can be passed from person to person. Some are transmitted by bites from insects or animals. And others are acquired by ingesting contaminated food or water or being exposed to organisms in the environment. Signs and symptoms vary depending on the organism causing the infection, but often include fever and fatigue. Mild infections may respond to rest and home remedies, while some life-threatening infections may require hospitalization. Many infectious diseases, such as measles and chickenpox, can be prevented by vaccines. Frequent and thorough hand-washing also helps protect you from most infectious diseases.

 FAST FOOD ANALYSIS

• My views on fast food were already negative. I knew that they were unhealthy and that the meats used came from factory farms where cows and goats are maltreated and injected with antibiotics. Two months ago, I decided to stop purchasing breakfast burgers from McDonald’s.
  
  
• One way I can limit the amount of fast food I consume is by planning and preparing my meals for the week on the weekend. I can do this by getting 10 plastics with covers. And with 2 plastics per day I pack my lunch and dinner. I basically eat the same breakfast during the week and that is oatmeal, milk and banana.
  
  
• I agree that CEO’s have a responsibility to their customers health by providing nutritional content of their foods to customers. But I really don’t see this happening because a CEO is only one person. Fast foods are large corporations with many people in charge of decision making. Therefore, I believe it is the responsibility of the franchise as a whole to improve on the quality of food that is sold.
  
  
• There are 6 branches of McDonald’s in my city of Pomona, there are 4 in the city of Upland, the next closest city. This proves that the people of Pomona and Upland are on average not eating healthy because every morning, most these McDonald’s have long lines of customers.
  
  
• El Pollo Loco
  
  
  1. Power Bowl: 470 calories, 15 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 0 g trans-fat, 8 g fiber, 650 mg sodium
  2. Mexican Caesar Bowl with Chicken:  440 calories, 20 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 0 g trans-fat, 2 g fiber, 540 mg sodium
  3. Bonus items: Broccoli, brown rice

IDENTIFYING YOUR STRESSORS

• The most common stressors in my life are my living situation, my health, financial instability, and my future which looks quite bleak as of now.
  
  
• Financial instability and toxic relationships at home.
  
  
• I don’t think the financial instability will continue after college because I plan to get an LVN license which will enable me to make $28 per hour. The toxic relationships will continue after college if my family does not seek therapy.
  
  
• I notice I am under stress when I can’t remember simple things, or I forget things easily.
  
  
• One way I reduce stress is by taking deep breaths, going for a brisk walk, or jump rope.

AEROBIC VS. ANAEROBIC

1. An aerobic workout is dependent on oxygen while an anaerobic workout is dependent on ATP and creative phosphate. In an aerobic workout, glycogen and fat are used as fuel or energy. This fuel can be sustained for long periods of time. While in an anaerobic workout, glycogen is depleted, and lactic acid is formed which causes muscle fatigue, hence cannot be sustained for long time.

2. Examples of an aerobic workout are swimming and biking. While an anaerobic workout will consist of jumping throwing, lifting and sprinting

3. For a friend that is a novice at workouts, I would recommend simple activities that she likes. I would recommend taking a 30-minute walk.

4. FITT principle stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time and Type. 

For a beginner I will start with a low frequency of walking 3 days per week.

• Intensity: I would advise my friend to walk briskly but not fast.
• Time: she would walk 30 minutes per day for 3 days.
• Type: brisk walking is an aerobic workout and since she is a beginner, I will motivate her by walking with her.

NUTRITION LABELS

Triscuit Whole Grain Wheat Crackers

Serving Size: 6 crackers (28 g)
Calories: 120

Nutrient and percent of daily value to limit:

• Saturated Fat: 0 grams-0%
• Trans fat: 0 grams
• Cholesterol: 0 mg_0%
• Sodium: 105 mg-5%
• Added Sugar: 1 gram-2%

Nutrients & Percent of Daily Value (that we want to include in a healthy diet):

• Dietary Fiber: 3 grams-11%
• Calcium: 10mg-0%
• Iron:1.4mg-8%
• Potassium 111mg-2%

Footnote/Recommendations:

Triscuit crackers are baked with 100% whole grain wheat. That is 23 grams whole grain per 28 gram serving.

It is a good source of dietary fiber. Contains 3.5 grams fat per serving. Nutritionists recommend eating 48 grams or more of whole grains throughout the day. 

CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES

Matt Maher story reminds me of the importance of weighing our decisions and evaluating the consequences. The truth of the matter is we all live in this world together and therefore we can easily affect one another’s lives positively or negatively. Matt had a bright future ahead of him but took it for granted. Matt in a way is like the rest of us in that we are all one decision away from becoming ” That GUY” or “That Girl”, but then he also different from the rest of us who have decided to be responsible for our lives and the lives of others by choosing not to drink and drive, or not to drink at all. 

I for one can say I have never messed with alcohol and drugs. I never liked the taste of alcohol and so I completed stayed away from it. But can say that even at social events like clubs or parties, I and my friends designate someone to drive and that person is not allowed to drink alcohol.

When we are under the influence of drugs and alcohol, three major things can occur

• Decreased perception and coordination: Alcohol impairs a driver’s ability to concentrate on the multiple tasks involved in driving, such as vehicle speed, position of the vehicle, other traffic on the road, tuning the radio, and participating in conversation with passengers.
  
  
• Distorted vision and hearing: Reduce visual acuity up to 32%. Reduces peripheral vision resulting in tunnel vision. Impairs ability to judge distance and depth perception (position of car). Dilates pupil, slows down reactions of pupil resulting in problems with on-coming headlights (glare) and “blind” driving. 
  
  
• Blackouts: A blackout involves memory loss due to alcohol or drug abuse. It is most common with drinking too much alcohol. Blacking out from drinking is specifically associated with binge drinking; typically, the condition is induced when a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) reaches 0.15. For comparison, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08 in nearly every state in the US.