|
Health & Wellbeing
|
Nutrition
- A Women's Issue?
By Anita Romaniw
While women are generally in charge of the
family's nutritional needs, they often jeopardize
their own health with poor eating habits.
North American women are uniquely at risk
for many nutrition-related diseases like heart
disease, certain cancers, diabetes, osteoporosis
and weight-related illnesses. Consider the
following statistics.
Heart
Disease
-
number 1 cause of death in women
-
one out of every two women will die of
heart disease
-
excess body weight, especially in the
abdominal area, places women at greater
risk for heart disease
-
other contributing risk factors include
low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol,
high blood pressure and diabetes
Cancer
-
second leading cause of death in women
-
diet may play a role in preventing or
altering progression of breast, colon
and ovarian cancers
Osteoporosis
-
more than 25 million women in North America
have this incurable bone disease
-
adequate calcium intake throughout life
is important in building strong bones
-
other dietary factors like caffeine,
alcohol, protein and sodium intake can
compromise bone health
Diabetes
Mellitus
-
half of those with diabetes are women
-
women with diabetes have twice the risk
of heart disease than men with diabetes
-
women with diabetes are at greater risk
for endometrial cancer and complications
during pregnancy
Weight
-
at least 1 in 4 women are overweight
-
being overweight can increase a woman's
risk of heart disease, high blood pressure,
high blood cholesterol, diabetes, gallstones
and cancer
-
women adopt destructive eating habits
in the pursuit of thinner bodies... many
women are unhappy with their body size
Prevention
Prevention
and early intervention are the most effective ways to deal
with the weight-related issues facing women. Even a modest
10% weight loss may improve heart related and diabetes health
risks.
Eating
more fruits, vegetables and whole grains can prove positive
action towards reducing breast and colon cancer rates. Such
a diet would be low in fat, high in fibre and would contain
ample amounts of anti-oxidants like vitamins A,C,E and beta
carotene.
Registered
Dieticians and Nutritionists are calling for increased health
promotion activities, health services, research and advocacy
on behalf of women. As it stands now, women may have a longer
life expectancy than men, but they do not necessarily lead
healthier lives.
Anita
Romaniw, B.A.Sc., R.D.N., is the Community
Nutritionist at the Upper Fraser Valley
Health Unit, Abbotsford, British Columbia.
She works mainly with women in her private
practice, "Power to Be".
Telephone: (604) 864-3400
|
|
