First Family Member
The first family member is my sister, twenty-six years old. She claims not to have any specific dietary practices, although she agrees that she consumes fast food often (more than four times per week, at work). She began to smoke when she was 21, but she claims to smoke one cigarette patch per week. She drinks during the weekend, usually two or three glasses of wine or one bottle of beer (12.0 U.S. fl oz). She claims she had taken drugs (MDMA) when she was 18 years old, only twice or thrice (cannot remember the particular number of times). Her sleep pattern is disrupted; she was diagnosed with depression and insomnia when she was 22 years old. She was treated for depression for two years (with an antidepressant Zoloft).
During this treatment, her sleep patterns improved but one year after it stopped she experienced disrupted sleep again (she wakes up five or more times during the night but falls asleep relatively quickly). She does not seek treatment as she claims that her sleep pattern does not interfere with her daily activities. She does not take any drugs currently. Her elimination schedule is regular (three times per day, each day of the week). She meditates before sleep every day of the week (thirty minutes). She claims to undergo several annual wellness check-ups (tumor markers, mammography, EKG). Apart from being diagnosed with depression and insomnia, she underwent appendectomy when she was 15 years old. She was diagnosed with chickenpox when she was 11 years old. She claims not to have been diagnosed with other diseases. She states she is under pressure at work and uses meditation as a stress reliever. Her self-image is positive, although she believes that changing the workplace would increase her self-esteem.
Depression is a mental illness that causes one to feel sad and worthlessness, experience suicidal thoughts, inability to concentrate, and depressed mood. Insomnia is a disease that causes difficulties in falling and staying asleep. Appendectomy is a surgical operation that causes the removal of the appendix and is usually done to treat acute appendicitis. Chickenpox (varicella) is an airborne disease that causes skin rashes, fatigue, and fever.
Second Family Member
This family member is my cousin. He is 17 years old. He claims to have dysfunctional dietary practices such as fast food intake (each day of the week) and consumption of carbonated soft drinks (at school and home). He claims that he does not smoke or drink or take drugs. He was diagnosed with asthma when he was 12 years old; he uses fluticasone (Flonase) to prevent asthma attacks. His sleep pattern is regular (seven-eight hours each day). He claims to have a regular elimination schedule (twice a day, each day), but sometimes it is disrupted (twice per two, three days). He rides to school using a bicycle and claims not to have any other physical activities. He only meets with his physician for annual check-ups for asthma or necessary vaccinations but does not undergo any additional screenings. He manages his stress by playing video games, meeting with his friends, and walking his dog. His self-image is neutral; he believes he would look better if he could give up fast food for more healthy meals but claims that he cannot do it. Asthma is a chronic illness that is characterized by an inflammation of the airways of the lungs.
Comparison and Risks
The sister’s dietary practices are healthier than those of the cousin, but her stress at work affects her more negatively than school stressors affect the cousin. Her sleep pattern indicates that her body cannot cope with pressure at work and is stressed. Both she and the cousin consume fast food, but the cousin’s dietary practices are more dangerous than the sister’s. Unlike the sister, the cousin does not undergo any annual screenings, although it might not be necessary for his age. Both family members use unprofessional self-help techniques for stress management. I too consume fast food, although not as often as my cousin. I was diagnosed with chickenpox when I was 14 years old. I also decrease stress levels by going out with friends and talking to my family.
The sister’s risks for being diagnosed with obesity and diabetes type II are moderate as she exercises each day of the week but consumes fast food. The chance of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease is higher because she is smoking, drinking, exposed to stress daily, and does not undergo specific lung cancer screenings. Tumor markers, however, can help detect lung cancer at early stages (Duffy 4). Breast cancer is possible but will be detected with mammography. Lower back pain is less likely due to a dynamic working process (she works as a tour guide) but increases the chance of osteoarthritis (Rutherford 704).
The cousin’s risks for being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, diabetes type II, and obesity are high as he has extremely unhealthy dietary practices. Additionally, Black et al. claim that the use of inhaled and/or oral corticosteroids increases the chance of obesity (1042). Due to the consumption of fast food, calcium and vitamin D intake might decrease and result in osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Asthma is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (Xu et al. 99). Although annual screening for cancer is not necessary for adolescents, fast food consumption can slightly increase the risk of cancer in adult life if the cousin will not adopt healthier dietary practices. Lower back pain is possible if he will have a sedentary lifestyle in the future, but as he has some physical activity during the week (walking to school/meeting with friends, riding the bicycle, walking the pet), currently it is unlikely.
Works Cited
Black, Mary Helen, et al. “Higher Prevalence of Obesity among Children with Asthma.” Obesity, vol. 20, no. 5, 2012, pp. 1041-1047.
Duffy, Michael J. “Tumor Markers in Clinical Practice: A Review Focusing on Common Solid Cancers.” Medical Principles and Practice, vol. 22, no.1, 2013, pp. 4-11.
Rutherford, Derek J., et al. “Changes in Knee Joint Muscle Activation Patterns during Walking Associated with Increased Structural Severity in Knee Osteoarthritis.” Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, vol. 23, no. 3, 2013, pp. 704-711.
Xu, Mingzhu, et al. “Asthma and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease or All-Cause Mortality: A Meta-Analysis.” Annals of Saudi Medicine, vol. 37, no. 2, 2017, pp. 99-105.