Poor Nutrition

"Nutrition is another arm of a behavioral health plan.  It is considered a behavioral health issue because diet and nutrition effect how we look, feel, think and act.  What we give our bodies for fuel predicts how well our body can perform emotionally, physically and cognitively.  Individuals interested in nutrition, including special recommendations for the specific nutritional needs

The National Institute of Health highlights the impact of poor nutrition on health:

• An estimated 65.2 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, defined by having a body mass index of 25 or more (National Center for Health Statistics, 2003).
• 30.1% of US adults have hypertension (NCHS, 2002)
• Hypertension is called a silent killer, because it often goes undetected and untreated.
• High Cholesterol is a leading contributor to heart disease. A high blood level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) can lead to atherosclerosis.  High cholesterol diets are common in US and Canadian citizens.
• Diabetes is estimated to effect 8% of the adult US population.
• Each year, more than 500,000 Americans die of heart disease.  The single greatest cause of line-of-duty death in fire service is heart attack.
• Stroke occurs when a blockage or weakness in the circulatory system results in a bleeding event. The most common strokes occur in the brain, usually resulting in some degree of brain damage.
• Gallstones are deposits of minerals in the gall bladder that can result in significant pain when moving through the system. Some gallstones may require surgical interventions.
• Gout is a painful condition of the joints caused by an accumulation of uric acid, which results in crystals forming in the joints.  Associated swelling can result in permanent joint damage. Poor diet is a leading contributor to the development of gout.
• Sleep apnea is the condition in which a sleeping person stops breathing for periods exceeding 20 seconds. The resulting lack of oxygen can trip off rhythm problems with the heart.  People with sleep apnea are frequently not well rested, as the lack of oxygen results in frequent waking.
• Osteoarthritis is an inflammation of the joints, resulting in calcifications and breakdown of joint flexibility.
• Several types of cancer, particularly colon cancer, bladder cancer and breast cancer, may be affected by diet.
• Depression, eating disorders, distorted body image are often associated with poor nutritional status."1

Resources

1. http://www.iaff.org/ET/JobAid/EAP/Poor_Nutrition.htm