The Men Who Made Us Fat

First of all I would like to apologise for lack of blog entry last week. Unfortunately it is the time of every student’s favourite period of the semester, examinations, and therefore my head is predominately wedged between a mountain of papers most hours of the day. However during my studies, I have gathered many more ideas for interesting blog articles in the coming weeks. 

Until then, for the next two weeks, I will provide two health related documentaries which I have watched and found particular fascinating. I hope to write a review on both of the documentaries in a later date, but until then I hope you enjoy both features. 

The first is a BBC documentary by Jacques Peretti, journalist and presenter for the BBC and The Guardian newspaper. The 3 part documentary titled ‘The Men Who Made Us Fat’ explores the influences and reasons to why the global diet has changed in the last 40 years. By focusing on America and the American influence on the British population, it makes for a intriguing insight from politics to processed foods to plate sizes. 

Spotlight Series - A Personal Perspective on COPD

When health professionals refer to Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), they often allude to the diseases of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. However there is a disease which is often forgotten. It is a disease which is the second most common hospital admission in the UK, the fifth most common cause of death in high income countries and the sixth most common in low to middle income countries. I’m referring to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and it could be considered as the forgotten NCD in Global Health. 

Older Adults - Let's Walk This Walk Together

The average life expectancy on planet earth has risen from 47 to 69 and is expected to increase to 75 by 2025. Subsequently we will see a rise in the world population from 7.1 billion to 9.6 billion by 2050. This is due to a host of different factors ranging from less child mortalities all the way to medical technologies preventing death in older adults. This is where my interest lies. Death is a topic which we all will experience at some point in the duration of our lives. It may be today, it may be tomorrow, hopefully long in the future when we are content with our live’s achievements. However as we become older, our human body naturally begins to decline in function. Therefore the question I will ask is with an ever growing older global population, how do we maintain the body in a sustainable manner and quality of life is ensured ?

Spotlight Series - Time to Cut Mutilation Out of FGM

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is not a glamorous topic. The meaning of mutilation involves inflicting a violent and disfiguring injury on an item. In this case, it is the female genitals, an area which is synonymous with femininity and human life. Therefore the concept of gravely damaging this area, sends a shiver down the down spine of most people from developed countries. However in some societies in developing countries, the perception of FGM is very different and is embedded in cultural and religious ties.