Overweight Risk Essay

In the United States, increasing use of sugar in foods has led to an increase in obesity levels. Many manufactured foods have sugars that have been added. These include jams, jellies, yogurt, peanut butter, soups, candy, bars, soft drinks and many other snacks. The National Health and Nutrition examination survey indicated that the United States population has decreased its intake of fat but increased its intake of sugary and energy giving foods, while the incidence of obesity has increased (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2006). The implication here is that there is a greater likelihood of developing obesity with the consumption of sugar than with the consumption of fat. The sugar, when consumed by humans is stored as glycogen. When this glycogen becomes excessive it is converted to fats which when in excess results in the high fat deposits common in obesity. Artificial sweeteners have various advantages over sugar and these make them the preferred choice for individuals who want to avoid the health risks of natural sugar. To begin with, sugar substitutes do not have the problem of lactic acid production, consequently tooth decay is not a health hazard associated with sweeteners. The sweeteners do not undergo the fermentation process like natural sugars. The difficulty of regulating blood glucose levels is easier to manage using artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners allow the individual with diabetes to enjoy a great variety of foods while maintaining close control of their sugar intake. Further, some of the artificial sweeteners even though they have a small amount of energy calories, are slowly metabolized. This means that the levels of blood sugar have some degree of stability over time and so the danger of frequent build up of glucose is overcome. Reactive hypoglycemia is common when foods with high glycemic indices are eaten. Reactive hypoglycemia is a condition where excessive insulin is produced when glucose has been rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. This results in levels of glucose in the blood falling between the required amount for brain function (WHO Technical Report, 2006). Artificial sweeteners general have low glycemic indices making them a better alternative. Despite the advantages associated with artificial sweeteners, those are certain side effects that have led to controversy concerning their use. Some of the claimed side effects include headaches, behavior changes, seizures, cancer and respiratory difficulty as well as dermatological problems. The safety of artificial sweeteners use is a great bone of contention because many studies have findings that differ greatly, with some studies concluding that sweeteners are ‘safe at any dose’ while others conclude that sweeteners are ‘safe in all conditions’ (Pizzorno et al, 2005). Generally, most people are of the view that when sweeteners are used in moderation, the risk of adverse effects is minimal. The more important issue of risk-benefit ratio is however, still unclear. Several studies show that weight-loss is not an effect which can be directly associated with artificial sweeteners . On the contrary, people using artificial sweeteners may increase weight. This is because the knowledge that one is reducing calories intake by using artificial sweetener may cause them to ‘compensate ‘ and thus eat foods that have high energy values resulting in weight gain rather than weight loss (De Noon, 2005). Sucralose is an artificial sweeteners about 600 times sweeter than sugar. It is produced when sucrose has three of its hydroxyl groups removed and replaced with three chlorine atoms. It is commonly found in chewing gum, baked goods, frozen desserts and is usually absorbed only minimally by body and leaves the body without any changes occurring to it (Renwick et al, 2000). Sucralose has been approved by the FDA and much of the controversy associated with it has more to do with marketing than with safety. Its marketing slogan makes it appear as though it really is a sugar where in actuality it is a raffinose, a carbohydrate made up of three different sugar molecules. Saccharin was created from derivatives of toluene. Its sweetness was discovered as is the case with several other sweeteners. The substance is also made form phthalic anhydride. It is about 300 to 500 times sweeter than sucrose and is commonly used in toothpaste, dietary beverages and foods. It however has a bitter aftertaste which is minimized through blending it with sweeteners (Pizzorno et al, 2005). Reports from a study that associated saccharin with causation of cancer of the bladder led to controversy surrounding the use of saccharin. Some countries like Canada banned the product while the USA was considering an FDA ban. Further research however, revealed that it could not be dangerous to human beings, causing the threat of an FDA ban to be lifted (Pizzorno et al, 2005) Aspartame, a white, odorless, crystalline powder whose derivatives are aspartic acid and phenylanine is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It can be utilized as a table sweetener or it can be used in frozen desserts, changing gum, gelatins and beverages. It however has the shortcoming of reacting with other flavors of food resulting in a taste that is slightly different from sugar. Aspartame undergoes metabolism to form the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine. It has considerably low energy values. Safety tasting of the sweetener however resulted in findings that showed that aspartame caused brain tumors in rats. The sweetener was however, FDA approved following deliberation and results o a study done in Japan (Whitmore, 1996). There has been debate on the value of extrinsic sugar to the health of an individual. Extrinsic sugar enhances the taste of food but as it does so it also increases the amount of calories resulting in negative effects to the health of an individual. The nutritional advice by the United Nations following a report compiled by two of its agencies (Food and Agriculture organization, FAO, and World Health Organization (WHO) ) is that free sugars should account for only as much as 10% of the total intake in a diet that is considered to healthy. The free sugars in this case include simple sugars (monosaccharides and disaccharides) that manufacturers add to foods, as well as those added by consumers themselves and cooks. It also includes sugars that occur naturally like fruit juices, syrups and honey (WHO technical report, 2007). The report goes on to recommend a range of between 55% and 75% of carbohydrates for total energy intake (WHO technical report, 2007). The food industry generally favors artificial sweeteners or natural sugar sweeteners. This is because of the high profit margin realized with the use of artificial sweeteners as they are more cost effective than both corn syrup and sugar. The sweeteners however should be used by consumers with great caution to ensure that the sweeteners do not end up becoming more of a health hazard than a means of achieving good health. References DeNoon J,2005, Drink More Diet Soda, Gain More Weight? Overweight Risk Soars 41% With Each Daily Can of Diet Soft Drink,Reviewed by Charlotte Grayson Mathis MD, WebMD Medical News

Film and Tragic Love Story

Last January 10, 2013, I, together with my English 211 classmates watched the Lantaw 2012 Short-film festival. It’s my first time to watch a short-film here in USM since Lantaw is a yearly activity here in our school. I was really excited to watch those 5 short-films, especially the film â€Å"Salamin† from Ateneo de Davao University, who got first place in a certain event. I also enjoyed the 4 films, namely; Surat, Kulta, Ayuda, and Incognito. In the film â€Å"Surat†, produced and directed by the 2 BSECE-A, I was really surprised because my friend, April Mae Tulang, is the lady protagonist in the film.It was a tragic love story between a teacher and a rebel. It was a nice film and story, but for me the ending is a bit predictable one, the guy died and the teacher became an old maid. Let’s go to the film â€Å"Kulta†, from 2 ABPolSci. This film is a tragic-family story. The story was based from the reality today. In the film, they were orphans, but still a happy family. Not until when the youngest of them got sick, and she really needed to get in the hospital. Because of being penniless, the oldest son took the risk of being a bomb carrier in exchange of money.It was a reality-based film. It’s just, I can’t understand what were they’re saying because there’s no subtitle in the movie. While in â€Å"Ayuda†, from 3ABEnglish, is one of the short-films that I’ve been enjoyed watching. I enjoyed this film simply because we can related based from the story! It’s a college love story. The cast of the film played each of their roles nice and easy. But we were wondering about the ending of the film. It was totally fuzzy why the guy holds a mini-knife. Will he take suicide? Or will he kill the antagonist?It’s very confusing. And the film which I mostly liked, the â€Å"Incognito†, which is from DevChem (students from Development Communications and Chemistry department) real ly amazed me. The main cast were so amazing in performing their different roles. And the ending was really unpredictable! I did not imagine that pretty lady was †¦ gay. Haha. I am very happy for the people who made this short-film. They made it really great! I was really excited in the â€Å"Salamin† by the AdDU filmmakers because Sir Lloyd said that Salamin is a must-see short-film.And I really watching the film. At first, I never imagined that it/s going to be a horror movie. Their setting was nice, the actors especially the main characters delivered well. I was having fun even though some parts of the movie surprised me, it has a good sound effects and a loud and clear voice which I understand easily. Over-all, the Lantaw short-film Festival was a success. The audiences enjoyed those 5 films being watched. Thanks for the loud Sound System that we all heard the sounds loud and clear. Ellyn Mae L. Arias

Kung Fu Hustle Analysis Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Kung Fu Hustle Analysis - Movie Review Example The development of film through pooling resources from different industries and applying the different genres that were previously not being utilized has aided them cross the coterminous boundary of global film. Chinese films are more defined in geographic, ethnic and auteurist terms and only bound to address the issues of identity, nationhood, gender and immigration. Chow’s film, Kung Fu Hustle answers the Joroen De Kloet’s call to ‘move away from the textual to the contextual’ and still address the same issues that previous directors were trying to address. Scholars need appreciate that the evolving Chinese film industry is incorporating aspects that are more western and involving western studios to make their art. The two industry have ceased being apart and have merged to make a comprehensive picture that addresses the â€Å"derivative- a slavish, lesser, imitator† tag. The main aspect of merging the two different cultures is to appeal the popular audience and intertwine globalization, localization, regionalization and nationalization in films. Chow’s film Kung Fu Hustle is an important sign in the evolving Asian market to adapt and interact with the western industry. Chow, through production, funding and the acting incorporates western aspects that are ‘acceptable’ to the Chinese people. He avoids themes that will limit his film to the Asian market, which has a liberal thought in terms of culture and religious freedom. Through his previous films, he knows that he cannot appeal to the audience through voice humor and hence develops bodily and character humor that will auger with any audience globally. An auteur skill of film making that makes him a director to reckon with in the Chinese film industry, while incorporating those aspects that attract popular audience and make money. Popular culture among actors is definitive in formation of identity,

To what extent does personality predicts employee performance Essay

To what extent does personality predicts employee performance - Essay Example Moreover, this practice rewards HR professionals with sustainability and confidence inside the organization as they can foresee unwanted reactions and responses. Personality analysis is crucial to use in HR practices to advance hiring practices, predict behaviours and motivate employees at work. Personality tests as a common practice in HR management were developed as a result of meta-analytic studies in 90s. According to Hakstian & Ng (2005, p. 405), initially they were appraised because their results granted predictability and validity of employees’ performance. Since then personality tests have been actively integrated in HR management. Most of these tests are based on â€Å"Big Five† personality model. According to it, there are five main personality variables which influence people’s behaviour; they include openness to experience, extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness and consciousness (Judge et al. 1999, p. 624). HR professionals design tests in order to identify these factors in each personality. Companies tend to conceal their testing practices as they exist for internal use only. It is the reason why there are not many sources available in regard to the studied issue. At the same time, there are some surveys, publications written by HR professionals and corporate reports which reveal that personality tests are successfully integrated in HR practices all over the world. For example, according to Rothstein & Goffin (2006, p. 155), 30% of corporations in the United States used special personality tests in their hiring procedures in 2003. Personality measures can target different characteristics of current or potential employees; they can test integrity, performance effectiveness or personal expectations. Integrity tests remain the most popular and one of the most complicated to analyse. Rothstein & Goffin (2006, p. 155) state that there are around 5 million applicants who do this tests and 20% of the Human Resource

Sociology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Sociology - Essay Example This promoted a environment of mistrust amongst the prisoners. A similar tactic is used by real guards in real prisons which aims to break prisoner alliances. An article in The New York Times about ‘Racial segregation in Prison’ highlights the advantages of this tactic which in effect incorporates elements of racism which pit’s Blacks, Chicanos, and Anglos against each other. It also shows how this segregation regulates some control over keeping heightened violence in check. By the division and conquering in this way, guards deflect a lot of the aggressive focus from themselves. Other real life incident’s that can be related to the continuous revolts of the prisoners to break free of the oppression and abuse of the unchallenged power of the guards is the ‘San Quentin Six’ alleged prison escape attempt at San Quentin in 1971. (The Lucifer effect, Philip Zimbardo). Also there was the ‘Attica Prison Riot’ that followed shortly afterwa rds in New York. The prisoner’s riot was based on their demand for better living conditions and to be treated as human beings. (Attica prison riot, Web). This incident is so much similar to the various revolts the prisoner’s conspired to do against the guards in just six days of the Stanford study we observed. Even in this short span they suffered continuous humiliation in form of extended push-ups, jeering, longer solitary hours and uncalled for punishments such as unnecessary scrubbing of the toilet pans, all of which aimed to dehumanize the inmates turning them into objects. Another recent real life example of what happened in the ‘Stanford Prison study’ can be related to the violation of human rights that occurred at the Abu Ghraib prison under the authority of the American armed forces which took place post the 2003 Iraq war. (Abuse at Abu Ghraib, CNN). This was mainly because the soldiers were pushed into the role of prison guards, without any string ent guidelines as to how to deal with the prisoners. Many of the specific acts of degradation were comparable to those that occurred in the Zimbardo prison experiment. (Psychologist world, Web) Work Cited. The New York Times (Nov, 14). Racial Segregation in Prison. Retrieved from: . Phillip Zimbardo. The Lucifer Effect. Retrieved from: . Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Attica prison riot. Retrieved from: . Rebecca Le Lung ( 2004, May) .‘Abuse at Abu Ghraib.’ CNN News. Retrieved from: . Psychologist world. ‘Influence of Social roles.’ Retrieved from:

Discussion Questions (Information Systems) Essay

Discussion Questions (Information Systems) - Essay Example Now no one can be held accountable in such a scenario because the customers have privacy issues if monitoring services are installed. Also if the there is some issue in withdrawal of cash due to slow service and faces a queue of people , the customer on the safe side should have been careful and should have kept the time margin in mind while heading for the ATM. 2. Should companies be responsible for unemployment caused by their information systems? Why or why not? In the Era of Information technology one cannot imagine themselves surviving in this competitive world by sticking to the traditional methods of business and its operations. Information systems had been basically developed as the need for enhancing the performance of business operation by organizing and integrating business activities grew. Companies cannot be held responsible for the unemployment cause by transference of certain tasks and jobs which were previously handled by people to the information systems. Instead peo ple should learn to cope up with such changes, should enhance their skills and should learn and evolve themselves with firsthand experience.

The Psychological challanges of Oppressed women in The Yellow Essay

The Psychological challanges of Oppressed women in The Yellow Wallpaper - Essay Example of Gilman’s writings that reflect her society’s views of mental illness and diagnostic conventions and attitude towards women’s postpartum psychosis. The setting of Charlotte’s story â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† enormously reflects the time period in which the story takes place. Indeed the setting of the story reflects the American society in the late 19th when the people were less endowed with scientific knowledge and the position of women in the society was restricted within the four walls of their parents and husbands’ house. Women were also thought of to be devoid of any intellectual capability. Therefore they were restricted from any psychophysical works except the indoor activities of raising children and serve their husbands. Evidences of Gender Discrimination in Gilman’s Story The distorted figure in the yellow wallpaper symbolizes the forced inactivity of women and also the society’s view of women’s physical fragi lity. In the 19th century American and European societies it is thought that women are the passive pacifier of men’s sexual desire and therefore they should not do any type of work more than what the circumstance requires them. The male dominated society thinks that men are born to work outside and women are for house and hearth. But according to the vindication of Gilman’s story, what men think of the betterment of women is their mere observation from a remote point of view. Men never can assimilate themselves with the selves of women and therefore they cannot feel what is felt by women (Bak 41-2). But as the protagonist herself is confined and restricted, she can feel the agony of the imaginary crippled woman who is bandit in the yellow wallpaper. She is confined within the sanitarium that symbolizes the whole male dominated... The author of the essay: "The Psychological challanges of Oppressed women in "The Yellow Wallpaper" analyzes the society’s attitude towards women’s psychological illness in the 19th century and its influence on Gilman’s writing. Gilman’s story speaks more of the patriarchy’s attitudes towards women’s mental illness, in the 19th century, which was considered to be the result of extensive brainwork. The author of the essay mentions that in the story, the author attempts to vindicate that nuptial institution as well as the related restrictions imposed upon a woman in marriage is detrimental to the harmonious psychological growth of women. That is, women’s struggle for their own selves must challenge the so-called male-imposed norms, rules and regulations in the name of women’s betterment. In the end the author of this paper sums up that according to Gilman, women’s situation from a male point of view is ironical in the sense that the male counterpart of the society thinks that what they prescribe for women is for their welfare, while the male dominated society’s restriction in the name of women’s wellbeing is detrimental to the women’s psychology. Throughout the whole story John examines the protagonist’s condition from a detached observer’s point of view. Consequently he cannot look into the protagonist’s agony. But John can be viewed as the production of his male society. In John’s society, women viewed only from a male point of view and this male viewpoint is excessively obsessed with the sexuality of the female body.