OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY

(pictures from the internet - unknown authors)

During the past 20 years, obesity among adults has risen significantly in the United States. The latest data show that 30 percent of U.S. adults 20 years of age and older—over 60 million people—are obese. This increase is not limited to adults. The percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980. Among children and teens aged 6–19 years, 16 percent (over 9 million young people) are considered overweight. This problem doesn't affect only the United States. This is a problem for all developed countries, including Portugal. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions. It's imperative to teach healthy habits and make teenagers aware of the health problems that may affect them one day...

“There’s nothing glamorous about an ending like hers.”

21-year-old Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston dies of anorexia.

The death of anorexic model Ana Carolina Reston has those close to her hoping the fashion industry will finally wake up to the dangers of the eating disorder.
Reston, 21, a Brazilian model who weighed only 88 pounds at the time of her death, succumbed to a generalized infection caused by anorexia nervosa.

BODY IMAGE

Fashion models have contributed to the growth in eating disorders among young girls. There is a link between the images of "abnormally thin" models which dominate TV and magazines and the rise of anorexia nervosa and bulimia. It seems that many girls and women become unhappy about their own appearance after reading fashion magazines. Men also look at the bodies of athletes and want to look like them... What about you? Do you care a lot about your image? Do you feel that you are influenced by fashion and by the patterns that are presented in magazines and on TV? Do we need to feel well with our body in order to feel happy inside?...

Special wishes for the NEW YEAR...

Dear student,

The New Year has just started and with it lots of inner promises and new commitments come to our minds.... It seems that every year we are given the chance to start something new, to change what is not right or what we consider that should be altered... What are your commitments for the new year? Do you intend to change something in your life? What are your wishes for 2007?...