BIOLOGY

Intensificación. Exposición auditiva y

expresión oral.
2024

Teachers:
Fiorella Panizza
Andrea Vila
 1

Part 1: The Human Body

 The Human machine

 How the machine moves
 Why do we have to eat?
 Vitamins & Minerals
 Our teeth
 Digestion
 Internal organs of our body

Why do we need to eat healthy food?

Just as a car needs petrol to run, our body needs fuel.
Healthy food is the fuel which gives us energy to work.
The Human machine- Reading Comprehension 2

Inside your body is a skeleton of bones. This skeleton has different jobs to do.

• It supports your body and helps it to keep its shape.

• It protects delicate organs inside your body. (The skull, for example, protects
the brain)
• Working along with the muscles, it helps your body to move.

We have 206 bones in our body. Bones, like the rest of our body, are living and growing
parts. Our bones grow until we are about 20 years old. Our bones keep us upright and
allow us to move with the help of our muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
One of the most important bones in our body is our skull. The skull protects our brains,
but our skull also makes the framework of our face such as the jaw bone and the bone
around our cheeks and eyes.

The skeleton is made up of bones of many different shapes and sizes. There are flat
bones, like the shoulder blade, a number of rod-shaped bones, like the thigh bone, and
ring-shaped bones in the backbone. The largest bone is the thigh bone. The smallest are
the bones in the ear.

Bones are strong, and it's important that they are. Bones have to stand up to hard blows
and to all kinds of pressure. (Bouncing on a trampoline and lifting a heavy weight both
put a lot of pressure on your bones.)

Bones are light, and that's important too. Moving around would be much more difficult
if bones were heavy.

When you see a thigh bone cut across, you can undestand how a bone can be strong and
light at the same time. The outside of the bone is made up of a hard, dense substanc, but
the inside is hollow. (In living bone, the hollow part is filled with soft bone marrow.)
The bone is really a strong tube. Even at the ends, where it appears to be solid, the bone
has holes in it making it like a hard sponge.

Our spines are made up of many bones, 26 in total. They are called vertebrae. Between
each vertebrae is a cushion of cartilage. Cartilage is a softer material than bone which
acts as a shock absorber and stops the bones rubbing together. The spinal cord runs
through the middle of our vertebrae so the spine is protecting our spinal cord.
Our ribs make a protective cage around our heart, lungs and liver. We have 12 sets of
ribs which are attached to our spine at the back. It is quite easy to feel your ribs if you
try.
Our arms and legs are made up of long bones with joints between them to help us move, 3
for example our elbow joint, knee joint and ankle joint. As you can see bones are very
important to us so we need to take care of them. When cycling or skateboarding we
should always wear a helmet to protect our skull. You can protect your knees by wearing
knee pads and protect your elbows by wearing elbow pads. Eating foods with calcium
will help your bones grow strong. Milk has a lot of calcium and is good for the bones.
Exercise is also good for the bones as it strengthens them.

Activity:
1. Write down 3 jobs done by your skeleton.
2. How many bones do we have in our body?
3. Which part of our body does the skull protect?
4. Which bones protect: a) your heart and lungs b)your spinal cord?
5. The bones in our spine are called: ….....................
6. Why is it important that bones are: a) strong b) light?
7. How can a thigh bone be strong and light at the same time?
8. What's the function of cartilage? What do our ribs do?

9. Label the diagram below using these words: spine- femur- cranium- clavicle-
sternum- scapula- tibia- humerus- tarsals- carpals-ribs- pelvis

______A _R____
_
__A_____
__E____
___E___

___S
_P___

____ALS
_E____

_E___
__B__

____ALS
How the machine moves 4

Muscles make up 1/3 to ½ of your body mass. Many of them are used to move your
bones.

Most muscles are joined at both ends, to bones. Often one end of a muscle is joined to
a bone which can move and the other end is joined to a bone which is fixed. When the
brain sends a message to make the muscle work, the muscle shortens or contacts. As
this happens, the muscle pulls.

Muscles can't push. They can only work by pulling. And so muscles are normally
found in pairs. One muscle makes the bones move in one direction. The other makes
them move in the opposite direction.

Joints are formed whenever two (or more) bones meet. Most joints allow bones to
move. The amount of movement depends on the type of joint.
In a joint like your knee, the bones are held in place by strong fibres called ligaments.
The end of each bone is covered with smooth slippery fibrous material called cartilage
and the whole joint is lubricated with fluid. Together, the cartilage and fluid prevent
the bones from rubbing on each other. They cut down friction which would cause the
bones to wear away.

Activity:
1. 'Muscles move bones'. Explain how.
2. Muscles are found in pairs. Why is this necessary?
3. What happens when: a) your biceps muscle b)your triceps muscle contracts?
4. What's a joint?
5. What's a ligament?
6. Why is there little friction at a joint?
7. Try to find out:
-What is a tendon?
-How do the bones move at a) a hinge joint b) a ball and socket joint?
-Which type of joint is found at a) the elbow b) the shoulder?
Why do you have to eat? 5

You wouldn't expect a car to run without any fuel. The fuel supplies the energy to make
the car go. Your body also needs fuel to keep it working. Its fuel is the food you eat.

But the car needs more than fuel to keep it running properly. It needs acid for its battery,
water for its radiator, oil for its engine, and grease for its wheels. Your body also needs
more than an energy supply. In fact, it needs a number of different chemical substances
to keep it working properly. These include carbohydrates, fats, protein, minerals and
vitamins, all of which are found in food.

Carbohydrates are important energy-supplying chemicals. The energy is released

when the carbohydrates are used up in the body's cells. If you eat too much carbohydrate,
your body changes it to fat.

Fats can also be used by the cells to produce energy. They can be stored in the body till
needed.

Proteins are chemicals which your body needs to build up new cells and tissues.

Minerals are needed in small amounts. Different minerals are needed for different jobs.
Iron is needed to make an important chemical and phosphorus help to make teeth.

Vitamins help to control many of the chemical changes in the body. There are thirteen
different vitamins in all. The body needs only tiny amounts of each. Of course, large
amounts of wate are needed. You'll find out why later in the section.

Here are just a few things that food does for our bodies:
• Gives us energy for exercise, sports, and school work.
• Helps us grow tall.
• Ensures that all our organs work properly: helps digestion, keeps us breathing,
keeps our heart beating, and helps brain function.
• Keeps our bones strong.
• Boosts our immune system so we stay healthy and can fight illness.

Now, let’s think about what happens to a car when you don’t fill it up with gas? It stops
running, right? What do you think would happen if you didn’t eat?
Here are just a few dangerous things that can happen to our bodies if we do not eat
healthy, or don’t eat enough:
• We would feel tired, cranky, or depressed.
• We could stunt our growth or get weak bones.
• We could get develop nutrient deficiencies: develop anemia or hair loss.
• Our organs wouldn’t work properly and our heartbeat can slow down.
Activity: 6

1. Why does the body need: a) carbohydrate b)protein c)fat d)vitamins?

2. What happens if you eat more carbohydrate than your body needs?
3. What happens if you eat less?
4. Why do you need a lot of protein when you are growing?
5. Try to find out: where the body stores fat.

Did you know?

Your body is constantly making new cells to replace those which die. Bone cells die
after 15-25 years, skin cells after 19 days, and some bloods cells after 30 hours.
Vitamins and Minerals 7

The two substances every human body needs are vitamins and minerals. Many people
think the substances are the same, but they are different, though both are necessary to
keep the body functioning properly, strong, and healthy.
Vitamins are organic substances, meaning they are made by plants and animals.
Minerals are inorganic, which come from the soil and water and are absorbed by plants
and eaten by animals.

Both vitamins and minerals come from the foods, but some foods have more vitamins
or minerals than other foods. For example, a mineral called calcium is needed in larger
amounts than another mineral, iron, which is a trace mineral because you only need
small amounts of it each day. In addition, there are some vitamins found in certain foods
though not in other foods, such as Vitamin A, which comes from eating carrots, it is not
found in milk, which contains Vitamin D.

All vitamins and minerals support and boost the body's immune system, which protects
the body from foreign substances. They also support normal growth and development
and help cells and organs do their jobs. Eating the right foods is important to receive the
needed vitamins and minerals for the body.
In addition to the proper amount of vitamins and minerals (micronutrients), the body
also needs the right balance of carbohydrates, protein, fats, and calories
(macronutrients). Some vitamins turn the macronutrients in the body into the energy
the body needs. The macronutrients and the micronutrients work together to keep the
body strong and healthy. All vitamins and minerals have specific functions and can be
found in a wide variety of food products such as vegetables, fruits, meats, fish, and more.

Vitamins are divided into two categories- fat soluble or water soluble depending on
whether they dissolve best in either lipids (another term for fats) or water. The fat-
soluble vitamins can be stored in the body, but the water-soluble vitamins need to
dissolve in water before they are absorbed by the body, and they cannot be stored. The
water-soluble vitamins can pass through your system and be lost when a person pees. A
fresh supply of water-soluble vitamins is needed each day.

In all, there are about 13 essential vitamins needed for the human body, four are fat-
soluble and nine are water-soluble. There are different scientific names for vitamins, but
most are referred to by using the letters of the alphabet and numbers such as Vitamin C,
several different Vitamin B types, and Vitamins A, D, E, and K.
The two types of minerals can be divided into macrominerals or microminerals (trace
minerals). Minerals cannot be broken down or changed by your body and can form part
of the structure of bones, teeth, nails, muscles, and red blood cells.
There are several minerals the body needs including calcium, potassium, salt, iron, zinc, 8
phosphorous, magnesium, copper, chromium, fluoride, iodine, selenium, manganese,
sulfur, and molybdenum. As with vitamins, the amount a body needs may depend on
many conditions such as age, health, and other conditions.

Activity:
1) Which of the following come from soil and water and are absorbed by plants and
eaten by animals?
A: Lipids
B: Vitamins
C: Minerals
D: Nutrients

2) All the following are macronutrients EXCEPT:

A: Vitamins
B: Carbohydrates
C: Protein
D: Fats

3) Which of the following shows the number of essential vitamins needed for the
body?
A: 13
B: 9
C: 4
D: 17

4) All the following are types of vitamins EXCEPT:

A: Vitamin G
B: Vitamin A
C: Vitamin K
D: Vitamin D

5) Which of the following is another term for fats?

A: Micronutrients
B: Lipids
C: Carbohydrates
D: Protein

6) All the following are examples of minerals EXCEPT:

A: Copper
B: Iron
C: Calcium
D: Coal
Vitamins 9

Vitamins and minerals are substances found in food that our bodies need to stay healthy.
There are hundreds and hundreds of them and the body cannot possibly make them all,
so we have to get them from the food we eat. Different foods contain different vitamins
and minerals which is why it’s important to eat a varied diet to make sure we get
everything we need. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble. When we eat foods that
contain these vitamins, our bodies store them in our fatty tissues and in the liver. Vitamins
B and C are water-soluble, they dissolve in water.

Vitamin A is great for eyesight and for fighting infections. It is found in green vegetables,
carrots, mangoes, spinach, dried apricots, milk and egg yolks.
Vitamin D helps our bones and helps our bodies absorb calcium. The body can actually
make it when we get sunlight on our skin! This is why it is sometimes called the sunshine
vitamin. It is found in fish oils, egg yolks and dairy products.
Vitamin E keeps the skin and red blood cells healthy. It is found in vegetable oils, nuts,
whole grains and green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin K helps to stop bleeding. When we cut ourselves, vitamin K is responsible for
clotting the blood. It is found in leafy green vegetables, broccoli, soybean oil and dairy
products.
Vitamin B is a group of 8 vitamins. They are important for metabolic activity, meaning
they help make energy and release it when the body needs it. They are also used for blood
cells. They are found in eggs, fish, meat, leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and dairy
products.
Vitamin C helps our bodies fight off colds and infections. It also helps us heal cuts and is
great for the gums and brain. It is found in broccoli, oranges, tomatoes, kiwi, red and
green peppers, spinach and red berries.
Answer the following quesitons:
10

1. Which vitamin is essential for blood clotting?

2. Which vitamin is good for eyesight?
3. Why do we need vitamin D?
4. How many B vitamins are there?
5. Which vitamin is also known as the sunshine vitamin?
6. Which group of vitamins help make energy and release it when the body needs
it?
7. Which vitamins are water soluble?
8. Which vitamins are fat soluble?

Did you know?

Long, slow cooking of vegetables can deplete their vitamin content.
Breaking down food: our teeth 11

Food has to be broken down into small pieces before your body can use it. You can't
swallow an apple whole! To eat the apple (or any large piece of food), you first have to
bite off a piece of it. Then you have to chew the piece unril it has been ground down
enough for easy swallowing. Muscles, jaws, and teeth all play a part in this breakdown
of the food. The muscles supply the movement. They pull on the jaws and keep them
moving. Since the teeth are firmly fixed in the jaws, this keeps the teeth moving, biting
and grinding. When an adult laughs, this is what you should see- a set of 32 gleaming
white teeth. You can't expect to have 32 teeth until you are about 18.

Each jaw has 16 teeth in it. The fron 4 are sharp biting teeth, called incisors. Behind
them are 2 canine teeth also used for biting. The other 10 'back' teeth are much flatter.
Their job is to grind the food into tiny bits. Four of these are premolars. The other six
are molars.
The part of the body which you can see is covered by a layer of white enamel. This is a
very hard, non-living subtance. It protects the tooth and prevents it from being worn
away.

The enamel covers a living part of the tooth which is made of dentine. The dentine is
softer than enamel and is a bit like bone. In the centre of each tooth is the pulp cavity.
This is made of soft pulp, which is made up of living cells. It also contains and blood
vessels.

Activity:
1. What part do: a) teeth b) jaws c) muscles play in breaking down food?
2. What job is carried out by: a) the incisors b) the molars?
3. What is a)dentine b)enamel?
4. The enamel protects the tooth. Why is it suitable for this?
5. How many incisors, canines, and molars do you have in each jaw?
6. Try to find out: why canine teeth got their name.

ABOUT YOU:
1) How many times do you brush your teeth in a day?
2) Do you ever use dental floss?
3) How often do you go to the dentist?
4) Have you ever got cavities?
5) Do you know how to brush your teeth properly?

Did you know?

Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, but it is affected by acid.
 12

Activities: 'Our teeth'

1) Watch the video: 'How your teeth work'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvCeSX9Pthw

2) Now watch the video again and complete the gaps in the following transcript
with the correct words:
'The teeth'
Your teeth help you chew your …........... while eating, assist you while …..............
and makes you look better when you flash a smile for those selfies.

Although you are born with …......... baby teeth, they aren't visible until they start to
come through the gums when you are about 6 to 12 months old and by the time you
are 2 to 3 years of age all the teeth will usually appear.
This process is called: teething and the new set of teeth are called: ….......... teeth,
baby teeth, or …......... teeth.

As you get older, around 5 to 6 years of age, these primary teeth begin to fall one after
the other. This happens because it is being pushed out of the way by the permanent
tooth that is behind it and gradually replaces the primary teeth.

By the time you are around 12 to 13 years old, most of you have lost all your baby
teeth and have a full set of ….................... teeth. But it is not over yet. Between the age
of 17 and 25 most of you will have …........ teeth called 'wisdom teeth' that grow at the
back of the ….......... to complete the adult set of 32 shiny white teeth.

These ….......... set are divided into 4 different types:

1) Incisors: these are your 8 front teeth with 4 at the top and 4 at the bottom. They
help you to cut your food into ….......... …........... making it easier to swallow.
2) Canine: these are the sharp, pointy teeth next to your …............... There are 2 at
the bottom and 2 on the top. They help you tear food, especially chewy foods
like meat.
3) Premolars (also called bicuspids): they are located next to
your …........ ….........They are somewhat flat with ridges on top. They are 4 on
each side and helps you to crush and grind the food you eat as they are stronger
than your incisors and canine.
4) Molars: they are located in the …....... of your mouth. There are 4 on both the
top and the bottom. Finally comes the fifth type of tooth that is somewhat rare
in most people:
5) The third molar (also known as' …............ teeth'): wisdom teeth sometimes
must be removed because they can crowd and …........ other teeth causing pain.
 13

Breaking down food: Digestion

What is the digestive system? The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal
(GI) tract—also called the digestive tract—and the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The
GI tract is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to
the anus. The hollow organs that make up the GI tract are the mouth, esophagus,
stomach, small intestine, large intestine—which includes the rectum—and anus. Food
enters the mouth and passes to the anus through the hollow organs of the GI tract. The
liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are the solid organs of the digestive system. The
digestive system helps the body digest food.
Bacteria in the GI tract, also called gut flora or microbiome, help with digestion. Parts
of the nervous and circulatory systems also play roles in the digestive process. Together,
a combination of nerves, hormones, bacteria, blood, and the organs of the digestive
system completes the complex task of digesting the foods and liquids a person consumes
each day.

Why is digestion important? Digestion is important for breaking down food into
nutrients, which the body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair. Food and drink must
be changed into smaller molecules of nutrients before the blood absorbs them and
carries them to cells throughout the body. The body breaks down nutrients from food
and drink into carbohydrates, protein, fats, and vitamins.

Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the sugars, starches, and fiber found in many foods.
Carbohydrates are called simple or complex, depending on their chemical structure.
Simple carbohydrates include sugars found naturally in foods such as fruits, vegetables,
milk, and milk products, as well as sugars added during food processing. Complex
carbohydrates are starches and fiber found in whole-grain breads and cereals, starchy
vegetables, and legumes.

Protein. Foods such as meat, eggs, and beans consist of large molecules of protein that
the body digests into smaller molecules called amino acids. The body absorbs amino
acids through the small intestine into the blood, which then carries them throughout the
body.

Fats. Fat molecules are a rich source of energy for the body and help the body absorb
vitamins. Oils, such as corn, canola, olive, safflower, soybean, and sunflower, are
examples of healthy fats. Butter, shortening, and snack foods are examples of less
healthy fats. During digestion, the body breaks down fat molecules into fatty acids and
glycerol.
Vitamins. Scientists classify vitamins by the fluid in which they dissolve. Watersoluble 14
vitamins include all the B vitamins and vitamin C. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins
A, D, E, and K. Each vitamin has a different role in the body’s growth and health. The
body stores fat-soluble vitamins in the liver and fatty tissues, whereas the body does not
easily store water-soluble vitamins and flushes out the extra in the urine.

How does digestion work?

Food has to get into the blood to be carried to the body's cells. Only soluble food (food
wich dissolves) can do this.

Most of the food you eat, however, is insoluble. Even if you grind it down finely, it still
won't dissolve. And so, to make use of it, your body has to break it down into chemicals
which can dissolve. This breakdown is called Digestion. It takes place in the digestive
system.

Breaking down the food is the job of your digestive juices. The breakdown of some food
starts in your mouth. There the food is mixed with a juice called saliva which is made
in your salivary glands. As the food passes through the digestive system, other juices
are added from, for example, the liver and the pancreas. Further breakdown of the food
takes place.

Muscles also have an important part to play in digestion. Muscles keep the walls of the
stomach and small intestine moving. This mixes the food and digestive juices inside,
speeding up digestion. Muscles also keep the food moving through the digestive system.

When the food has been completely broken down, it is absorbed into the blood. This
happens in the last part of the small intestine, It has a good supply of blood and thin
walls. This allows food to pass easily into the blood.

Some of the food you eat can't be digested. Your body gets rids of this waste through
the anus,

Activity:
1. What happens to food in Digestion? Why is this important?
2. What job is done by digestive juices? Where are they made?
3. What part do muscles play in Digestion?
4. What happens to fully digested food in the small instestine?
 15

Definitions:
Heart: your heart pumps your blood around your body.

Lungs: when you breathe, the air goes into your lungs.

Veins: these transport blood through your body. They are like little tubes.

Brain: this is your 'thinking machine' inside your head.

Throat: food goes down this to get to your stomach.

Liver: the organ that cleans your blood.

Stomach: your food goes here when you swallow it.

Kidneys: the organs that process all your body waste.

Skeleton: all of the bones in your body.

Ribs: these are the bones that protect the organs in your chest.

Bones: your skeleton consists of many bones. There are about 206 in your body.
Internal parts of our body 16

1. Watch the video 'Internal Organs of our body' and solve the following
activities:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S1STjIOGYqmq5NdWwUw5t_JdrnAL3uGZ/view?ts
=63e55619

2. Fill in the gaps with the correct words from the video:

a. All the bones of our body are together called …....................

b. The hard skull protects the ….................. inside it.
c.The bones meet each other and these meeting points are called ….............
d.Muscles help the bones to …..............
e. Our heart is protected inside our …......... …........... .
f. The lungs absorb ….............. from the air and send it to different parts of our body
with the help of the ….............. .
g.The process of exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is called …................. .
h. The ….......................... is the largest internal organ of our body.
i. When the …................. enters into the …..................., it expands.
j. The undigested food goes to the …...............................

3. Answer the following questions:

1. What does the brain do?

2. What does the heart do?
3. Where are the kidneys located?
4. How long is the small intestine?

Internal parts of our body: Body systems

Organs of the human body are commonly grouped into different systems. Each body
system includes organs and structures that serve a common purpose. The systems are
highly interdependent, working together to sustain life and enable interaction with the
surrounding environment. The human body systems are:

a. The cardiovascular system e. The urinary system

b. The digestive system f. The endocrine system
c.The respiratory system g. The skeleton System
d. The nervous system
h. The muscular system
Activity: ‘Let’s learn how the human body works’ 17

1) Watch the first part of the video: ‘The cardiovascular system’ (00.03-04:38)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFCyiqycPKw

2) Watch Part I again and complete the gaps with the correct word:

What´s the cardiovascular system?

The cardiovascular system includes the ………… and the ……… …………. The heart
pumps blood and the blood vessels deliver it troughout the body.
At the center of the cardiovascular system is the heart. The heart is a muscle about the
size of your …….. It is located behind your ………... and a Little to the …….. of the
middle of the chest. The ribs protect your heart.

The heart pumps the blood through the body through arteries and ………... The body
carries a good nice oxygen and nutrients that the body needs and carries away the rotten
dirty carbón dioxide and chemical waste.
The heart is divided into the ………. half and the ……. half. These 2 halves of the heart
act as separate pumps.
The heart has 4 chambers: ………............
…………........
………………
…………….....

The atria on both sides of the heart receives incoming blood first and then it sends it
down to the ventricles to be pumped out.
The right side of your heart receives oxygen poor blood first and pumps it tinto the lungs
to get rid of the carbón dioxide and to pick up the good oxygen.
The left side of your heart receives oxygen-rich blood from the ……….. and pumps it
back into your ………...

The heart depends on 4 valves: ………………… ……………………..

…………………. ……………………
The sound your heart makes comes from the sound of the valves opening and closing.
The heart is the most important organ in your body and that’s why you need to take care
of your heart and keep it really healthy. These are the main things you can do to keep
your heart healthy: ………………………….
………………………....
……………………….....
PART II: The Digestive system 18

1) Wacth the second part of the video (04:38- 09:40)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFCyiqycPKw

2) Watch part II again and solve the following true or false activity:

a) Your digestive system is responsable for converting the food we eat into energy.
b) The digestión process begins in the stomach.
c) You teeth helps to push food into your throat.
d) The esophagus is a soft tuve that is connected to your stomach.
e) Your stomach is located just below the páncreas.
f) The stomach makes digestive juices (acids and enzymes) that help to break
down our food.
g) Your stomach is a respiratory organ.
h) Food usually remains in the stomach for about 20 minutes.
i) The body digests all the food we eat.
j) The large intestine is shorter than the long intestine.
k) The solid waste will finally leave the body through the anus.
l) Drinking wáter helps your digestive system to work better.

Extra activity:
 Watch the rest of the video to learn more about body systems.
 19

Part 2:

EAT RIGHT.

EATING DISORDERS
The food Pyramid 20

A food pyramid is a representation of the optimal number of servings to be eaten each

day from each of the basic food groups. The first pyramid was published in Sweden in
1974.

1. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KbA8pFW3tg

2. Watch the video again and complete the text with the words below:

Grow- sweets- vegetables- potatoes-calories- fruit- butter- strong- healthy- fats-

little- milk- minerals- five- bread- water- physical

Healthy foods are fundamental for our existence: they help us …................. be strong
and be ….................... . We need to learn about the food pyramid and follow its steps.

The first step on the pyramid, the smallest one, is the one about …..........
and …............... . It's the favoured one by all children but it is the worsrt one. One must
eat very ….............. or nothing from this step. They are delicious but they contain a high
number of …................, which are very bad for our health.
The second step is formed by meat, fish and eggs. We should eat more fish and eggs
than meat.
The third step is all about dairy. This group consists of …..............., cheese
and …................ . We must eat these foods from 1 to 3 times a day.
The fourth step is extremely important because it evolves around …..............
and …...................... These foods give us vitamins and …..................... and allow us to
stay in shape and be strong. Doctors recommend to eat these …............ times a day. If
you do, your body will thank you.
The fifth step is the group of the carbohydrates. Here you can find cereals, …................,
pasta, rice and …................. . They are also very important so you must eat them daily.
Doctors say:
-We must try to eat at the same time every day,
-We must drink plenty of …................
-Everyday we must do some …............. exercise.

If we eat healthy and do exercise we will grow …....................... both mentally and
physically.
21
Getting the balance right-a balanced diet 22

A balanced diet means eating a variety of foods that contain all the nutrients the body
needs in the right amounts.

Making smart food choices is an important part of healthy aging. Understanding the
different food groups — and how much of each should make up your diet — can help
you form a healthy eating pattern over time.
It is important to get the recommended amount of each food group without going over
your daily recommended calories. Keep in mind that the amount you should eat to
maintain your weight depends on your age, sex, and level of physical activity.

Main food groups:

Vegetables:
Vegetables come in a wide variety of colors, flavors, and textures. They contain vitamins
and minerals, carbohydrates, and are an important source of fiber. The vegetable food
group includes dark green vegetables, red and orange vegetables, starchy vegetables,
and legumes (beans and peas).
Dark green vegetables include broccoli, collard greens, spinach, and kale. Red and
orange vegetables include acorn squash, carrots, pumpkin, tomato, and sweet potato.
Starchy vegetables include corn, green peas, and white potatoes. Other vegetables
include eggplant, beets, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, celery, artichokes, green beans,
and onions. Legumes include black beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), kidney beans,
soybeans, and tofu. Legumes can also be counted in the protein foods group.

Did you know?

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that your body cannot digest. It is found in many
foods that come from plants, including vegetables, beans, and peas. Eating fiber-
rich vegetables can help prevet stomach problems and lower cholesterol.

Fruits:
Fruits bring color, flavor, and important nutrients to your diet. There are so many choices
— citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits; different kinds of berries; fruits that grow
on trees, such as apricots, cherries, peaches, and mangoes; and others like figs, grapes,
and pineapples.
Fruits, like vegetables, contain carbohydrates and provide extra fiber that helps keep
your digestive system moving. For even more fiber, eat fruits with the skin on — just
make sure you wash all fruits thoroughly before eating. Although 100% fruit juice also
counts toward this category, at least half of the fruits you eat should be whole fruits.
When purchasing frozen, canned, or dried fruit, choose options that are lowest in added
sugars.
Grains: 23

Any food made from wheat, rye, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or other cereal grain is a
grain product. This includes bread and pasta, breakfast cereal, grits, tortillas, and even
popcorn. Grains — along with fruits, vegetables, and dairy — contain carbohydrates,
the body’s main source of energy.
Read food labels to find grain choices that are low in saturated fat and added sugar. Be
especially wary of options labeled “low-fat,” which can be high in added sugar.
At least half the grain foods you eat should be whole grains. Whole grains provide iron
and many B vitamins, and they have fiber, too. Examples of whole grains include whole
wheat, whole oats, whole bulgur (also known as cracked wheat), and whole cornmeal.
Some grain products are refined, which gives them a finer texture and a longer shelf life
but removes fiber and nutrients. Most refined grains are enriched, which means that
some nutrients are added back after processing. Examples of refined grain products
include white flour, degermed cornmeal, white bread, and white rice.

Dairy:

Consuming dairy helps older adults maintain strong bones and provides several vital
nutrients, including calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. For your heart health, pick from
the many low-fat or fat-free choices in the dairy group. These give you important
vitamins and minerals, with less fat. Certain fortified dairy alternatives can provide
similar nutritional content to dairy.

Dairy alternatives
For individuals who choose dairy alternatives, fortified soy milk and yogurt — which
have calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D added — are included as part of the dairy group
and have nutritional content similar to dairy.

Oils & solid fats

Oils are high in calories, but they are also an important source of nutrients like vitamin
E. For older adults, the daily allowance of oils ranges from 5 to 8 teaspoons, depending
on activity level. Oils contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are
healthy fats that give you energy and help the body absorb certain vitamins.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT 24
You are what you eat. What does this mean? To make sure that the structure of your
body is correct and strong, you must provide it a regular supply of the right building
materials. Foods are the building materials for the body.
There are six large categories of nutrients in food. These are carbohydrates, protein, fats,
vitamins, minerals, and water. Each food you eat not only contains more than one
nutrient, but also a different number of calories (energy). Fat, protein, and carbohydrates
provide calories, or energy as well as building blocks. Vitamins, minerals and water are
chemicals that are essential to the body's chemical machinery, but are not really sources
of calories. Fiber is another important part of a balanced diet and a healthy digestive
tract. It is not labeled a nutrient, however, since it is not digestible but remains in your
digestive tract.

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are sugars and starches. These substances are used by your body to create
energy. After being eaten, they are broken down into glucose or sugars that are used as
fuel. Carbohydrates are often described as simple or complex. Simple sugars are
carbohydrates that are made up of only one or two molecules of glucose (sugar). Simple
sugars are found in foods like candies, soft drinks, fruit juices, and fruit. Complex
carbohydrates are found in starchy foods like rice, potatoes, and bread.
Other foods which cointain carbohydrates include carrots, corn, and bananas. These
complex carbohydrates are made up of ,many, many molecules of sugar.

Proteins
Proteins are a major component of most tissues including muscles, bodily organs, and
cells. Body protein is made from building blocks of amino acids. The human body can
make most amino acids and use them to build proteins. However, nine amino acids,
called the essential amino acids, cannot make be made by the human body. They have
to be eaten on a regular basis for your body to maintain itself. Animal sources of protein
like meat, fish, dairy products, and eggs contain all nine essential amino acids. They are
often referred to as complete protein. Vegetable or plant sources of protein like beans,
nuts, and some grains do not have all nine essential amino acids. Fortunately, plant
proteins can be mixed so that essential amino acids are present in one meal. When beans
and corn (like corn tortillas) are combined; all the essential amino acids are present. The
same is true when beans and wheat, beans and rice, or nuts and wheat are mixed together.
So, it is possible to have a completely healthy diet without eating meat.

Fats
Fats alre also necessary for health. Fat is a component of all cell membranes, and is an
important source of stored energy in your body. When you can't avoid skipping a meal,
your body uses fat for energy. Unfortunately, the body requires protein at the same time
and will use tissue, like muscles to feed itself.
Fat in the digestive tract helps your body absorb the fat soluble vitamins. Although fats 25
are important, not all fats are as healthy for you as others. Eating too much saturted fat
can increase your cholesterol and raise your risk of heart disease. Saturated fats come
from meat, dairy products, and some kinds of vegetable oils called tropical oils (palm
and coconut). Unsaturated fats do not have as great an effect on cholesterol and do not
increase the risk of heart disease as much. These fats are found in fish and in vegetable
oils like olive, peanut, and corn oil.

Vitamins
Vitamins are nutrients that help regulate body functions. Your body needs only tiny
amounts of these nutrients. Vitamins help your body use other nutrients and fight disease.
Many foods are naturally rich in vitamins. This includes many fruits and vegetables,
such as oranges, carrots, and broccoli.Whole grain breads and some meats are also
excellent sources of some vitamins.
Some vitamins, such as vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins, need to be replaced
daily. Other vitamins-including vitamins A, D, E, and K- are stored in your body.
Vitamin A is important for good vision. Vitamin D promotes strong bones and teeth.

Minerals
Minerals are elements in foods that help your body work properly. Like vitamins,
minerals are needed only in small amounts. Calcium is a mineral that helps build strong
bones and teeth. Calcium is important during the teen years but also throughout your
life. So is the iron found in red meats, beans, and other foods. Iron contributes to healthy
blood, which in turn helps you fight many diseases.
Some people take supplements to get extra vitamins and minerals. However, food
sources are best. Eating a variety of foods will help you get the nutrients you need.
Always check with a parent or guardian before taking any vitamin or mineral
supplements.

Water
Water is essential for life. It is the single largest component of your body. Each and
every day, you use water to metabolize your food, lose heat through sweating, and
remove toxins in the urine. On average, and adult uses about 2 or 3 quarts a day just for
perspiration and urination. In hot temperatures, with heavy exercise or with fever, your
body requires more water than on a typical day. Without the right amount of water, your
body cannot maintain the right temperature, blood pressure, or kidney function. Water
is also the principal component of many foods, like milk, fruits, and vegetables. Other
sources of water include juices and flavoured soft drinks. Like the other foods among
you must choose, the sources of water in your diet contain other nutrients. Water by
itself is the best thirst quencher.
 26

EATING DISORDERS

What's an eating disorder?

Eating disorders are serious conditions related to persistent eating behaviors that
negatively impact your health, your emotions and your ability to function in important
areas of life. The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa
and binge-eating disorder.

Most eating disorders involve focusing too much on your weight, body shape and food,
leading to dangerous eating behaviors. These behaviors can significantly impact your
body's ability to get appropriate nutrition. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive
system, bones, and teeth and mouth, and lead to other diseases.
Eating disorders often develop in the teen and young adult years, although they can
develop at other ages. With treatment, you can return to healthier eating habits and
sometimes reverse serious complications caused by the eating disorder.

Symptoms
Symptoms vary, depending on the type of eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia
nervosa and binge-eating disorder are the most common eating disorders. Other eating
disorders include rumination disorder and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.

Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa — often simply called anorexia — is a potentially life-threatening
eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, intense fear of
gaining weight, and a distorted perception of weight or shape. People with anorexia
use extreme efforts to control their weight and shape, which often significantly
interferes with their health and life activities.
When you have anorexia, you excessively limit calories or use other methods to lose
weight, such as excessive exercise, using laxatives or diet aids, or vomiting after eating.
Efforts to reduce your weight, even when underweight, can cause severe health
problems, sometimes to the point of deadly self-starvation.

Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa — commonly called bulimia — is a serious, potentially life-
threatening eating disorder. When you have bulimia, you have episodes of bingeing
and purging that involve feeling a lack of control over your eating. Many people with
bulimia also restrict their eating during the day, which often leads to more binge eating
and purging.
During these episodes, you typically eat a large amount of food in a short time, and 27
then try to rid yourself of the extra calories in an unhealthy way. Because of guilt,
shame and an intense fear of weight gain from overeating, you may force vomiting or
you may exercise too much or use other methods, such as laxatives, to get rid of the
calories.If you have bulimia, you're probably preoccupied with your weight and body
shape, and may judge yourself severely and harshly for your self-perceived flaws.
You may be at a normal weight or even a bit overweight.

Causes
The exact cause of eating disorders is unknown. As with other mental illnesses, there
may be many causes, such as:
• Genetics and biology. Certain people may have genes that increase their risk of
developing eating disorders. Biological factors, such as changes in brain
chemicals, may play a role in eating disorders.
• Psychological and emotional health. People with eating disorders may have
psychological and emotional problems that contribute to the disorder. They may
have low self-esteem, perfectionism, impulsive behavior and troubled
relationships.

Risk factors
Teenage girls and young women are more likely than teenage boys and young men to
have anorexia or bulimia, but males can have eating disorders, too. Although eating
disorders can occur across a broad age range.

Certain factors may increase the risk of developing an eating disorder, including:
• Family history. Eating disorders are significantly more likely to occur in
people who have parents or siblings who've had an eating disorder.
• Other mental health disorders. People with an eating disorder often have a
history of an anxiety disorder, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Dieting and starvation. Dieting is a risk factor for developing an eating
disorder. Starvation affects the brain and influences mood changes, rigidity in
thinking, anxiety and reduction in appetite. There is strong evidence that many
of the symptoms of an eating disorder are actually symptoms of starvation.
Starvation and weight loss may change the way the brain works in vulnerable
individuals, which may perpetuate restrictive eating behaviors and make it
difficult to return to normal eating habits.
• Stress. Whether it's heading off to college, moving, landing a new job, or a
family or relationship issue, change can bring stress, which may increase your
risk of an eating disorder.
Complications 28
Eating disorders cause a wide variety of complications, some of them life-
threatening. The more severe or long lasting the eating disorder, the more likely you
are to experience serious complications, such as:
• Serious health problems
• Depression and anxiety
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior
• Problems with growth and development
• Social and relationship problems
• Substance use disorders
• Work and school issues
• Death

Prevention
Although there's no sure way to prevent eating disorders, here are some strategies to
help people develop healthy-eating behaviors.

If you notice a family member or friend who seems to show signs of an eating disorder,
consider talking to that person about your concern for his or her well-being. Although
you may not be able to prevent an eating disorder from developing, reaching out with
compassion may encourage the person to seek treatment.

Extra Activities:

1) Watch the videos and be ready for discussion in class:

‘Anorexia and eating disorders’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgjzUxosZ9o

‘6 types of eating disorders’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SRmccgFIs8
OBESITY 29

Obesity is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity isn't
just a cosmetic concern. It's a medical problem that increases the risk of other disea-
ses and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and cer-
tain cancers.

There are many reasons why some people have difficulty losing weight. Usually, obe-
sity results from inherited, physiological and environmental factors, combined with
diet, physical activity and exercise choices.

The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health
problems associated with obesity. A healthier diet, increased physical activity and
behavior changes can help you lose weight. Prescription medications and weight-loss
procedures are additional options for treating obesity.

Symptoms

Body mass index (BMI) is often used to diagnose obesity. To calculate BMI, multiply
weight in pounds by 703, divide by height in inches and then divide again by height in
inches. Or divide weight in kilograms by height in meters squared.

BMI Weight status

Below 18.5 Underweight

18.5-24.9 Normal

25.0-29.9 Overweight

30.0 and higher Obesity

For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. 30
However, BMI doesn't directly measure body fat, so some people, such as muscular
athletes, may have a BMI in the obesity category even though they don't have excess
body fat.

Many doctors also measure a person's waist circumference to help guide treatment de-
cisions. Weight-related health problems are more common in men with a waist circum-
ference over 40 inches (102 centimeters) and in women with a waist measurement over
35 inches (89 centimeters).

When to see a doctor

If you're concerned about your weight or weight-related health problems, ask your doc-
tor about obesity management. You and your doctor can evaluate your health risks and
discuss your weight-loss options.

Causes

Although there are genetic, behavioral, metabolic and hormonal influences on body
weight, obesity occurs when you take in more calories than you burn through normal
daily activities and exercise. Your body stores these excess calories as fat.

In the United States, most people's diets are too high in calories — often from fast food
and high-calorie beverages. People with obesity might eat more calories before feeling
full, feel hungry sooner, or eat more due to stress or anxiety.

Many people who live in Western countries now have jobs that are much less physically
demanding, so they don't tend to burn as many calories at work. Even daily activities
use fewer calories, courtesy of conveniences such as remote controls, escalators, online
shopping and drive-through banks.
Risk factors 31

Obesity usually results from a combination of causes and contributing factors:

 Family inheritance and influences

 The genes you inherit from your parents may affect the amount of body fat you
store, and where that fat is distributed. Genetics may also play a role in how
efficiently your body converts food into energy, how your body regulates your
appetite and how your body burns calories during exercise.

 Obesity tends to run in families. That's not just because of the genes they share.
Family members also tend to share similar eating and activity habits.

 Lifestyle choices

 Unhealthy diet. A diet that's high in calories, lacking in fruits and vegetables,
full of fast food, and laden with high-calorie beverages and oversized portions
contributes to weight gain.
 Liquid calories. People can drink many calories without feeling full, espe-
cially calories from alcohol. Other high-calorie beverages, such as sugared soft
drinks, can contribute to significant weight gain.
 Inactivity. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, you can easily take in more calo-
ries every day than you burn through exercise and routine daily activities. Loo-
king at computer, tablet and phone screens is a sedentary activity. The number
of hours spent in front of a screen is highly associated with weight gain.
Certain diseases and medications

In some people, obesity can be traced to a medical cause, such as Prader-Willi syn-
drome, Cushing syndrome and other conditions. Medical problems, such as arthritis,
also can lead to decreased activity, which may result in weight gain.

Some medications can lead to weight gain if you don't compensate through diet or
activity. These medications include some antidepressants, anti-seizure medications,
diabetes medications, antipsychotic medications, steroids and beta blockers.
Age 32

Obesity can occur at any age, even in young children. But as you age, hormonal chan-
ges and a less active lifestyle increase your risk of obesity. In addition, the amount of
muscle in your body tends to decrease with age. Generally, lower muscle mass leads to
a decrease in metabolism. These changes also reduce calorie needs and can make it
harder to keep off excess weight.

Complications

People with obesity are more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health
problems, including:

 Heart disease and strokes. Obesity makes you more likely to have high blood
pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for heart disease
and strokes.
 Type 2 diabetes. Obesity can affect the way the body uses insulin to control blood
sugar levels. This raises the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.
 Certain cancers. Obesity may increase the risk of cancer of the uterus, cervix,
endometrium, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, esophagus, liver, gallbladder, pancreas,
kidney and prostate.
 Digestive problems. Obesity increases the likelihood of developing heartburn,
gallbladder disease and liver problems.
 Sleep apnea. People with obesity are more likely to have sleep apnea, a poten-
tially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
 Severe COVID-19 symptoms. Obesity increases the risk of developing severe
symptoms if you become infected with the virus that causes coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19). People who have severe cases of COVID-19 may require
treatment in intensive care units or even mechanical assistance to breathe.

Activity:
1) Watch the video and be ready for group discussion in class:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MxloSNj-h4
 33
Part 3

ADDICTIONS
 34

DRUG ADDICTION

Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's
brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug
or medicine. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered
drugs. When you're addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it
causes.

Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social
situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others,
particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins when they take prescribed medicines
or receive them from others who have prescriptions.
The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug. Some drugs,
such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than
others.

As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high. Soon you may
need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you may find that it's
increasingly difficult to go without the drug. Attempts to stop drug use may cause
intense cravings and make you feel physically ill. These are called withdrawal
symptoms.

Help from your health care provider, family, friends, support groups or an organized
treatment program can help you overcome your drug addiction and stay drug-free.

Symptoms
Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:
• Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a
day
• Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
• Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
• Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you
intended
• Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
• Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it
• Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or
recreational activities because of drug use
• Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in
your life or causing you physical or psychological harm
 • Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing 35
• Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the
drug
• Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering
from the effects of the drug
• Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug

Recognizing unhealthy drug use in family members

Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish normal teenage moodiness or anxiety from
signs of drug use. Possible signs that your teenager or other family member is using
drugs include:

Problems at school or work— frequently missing school or work, a sudden disinterest

in school activities or work, or a drop in grades or work performance
Physical health issues— lack of energy and motivation, weight loss or gain, or red
eyes
Neglected appearance— lack of interest in clothing, grooming or looks
Changes in behavior— major efforts to bar family members from entering the
teenager's room or being secretive about going out with friends; or drastic changes in
behavior and in relationships with family and friends
Money issues— sudden requests for money without a reasonable explanation; or your
discovery that money is missing or has been stolen or that items have disappeared
from your home, indicating maybe they're being sold to support drug use.

Activity:

1) Watch this video to understand more about addictions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsTwkX1cdCY
 36

TOBACCO DEPENDENCE

Nicotine dependence occurs when you need nicotine and can't stop using it. Nicotine
is the chemical in tobacco that makes it hard to quit. Nicotine produces pleasing
effects in your brain, but these effects are temporary. So you reach for another
cigarette.
The more you smoke, the more nicotine you need to feel good. When you try to stop,
you experience unpleasant mental and physical changes. These are symptoms of
nicotine withdrawal.

Regardless of how long you've smoked, stopping can improve your health. It isn't
easy but you can break your dependence on nicotine. Many effective treatments are
available. Ask your doctor for help.

Symptoms
For some people, using any amount of tobacco can quickly lead to nicotine
dependence. Signs that you may be addicted include:
You can't stop smoking. You've made one or more serious, but unsuccessful, attempts
to stop.You have withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop. Your attempts at
stopping have caused physical and mood-related symptoms, such as strong cravings,
anxiety, irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, depressed mood, frustration,
anger, increased hunger, insomnia, constipation or diarrhea.
You keep smoking despite health problems. Even though you've developed health
problems with your lungs or your heart, you haven't been able to stop.
You give up social activities.You may stop going to smoke-free restaurants or stop
socializing with family or friends because you can't smoke in these situations.
Causes: 37
Nicotine is the chemical in tobacco that keeps you smoking. Nicotine reaches the
brain within seconds of taking a puff. In the brain, nicotine increases the release of
brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which help regulate mood and behavior.
Dopamine, one of these neurotransmitters, is released in the reward center of the
brain and causes feelings of pleasure and improved mood.
The more you smoke, the more nicotine you need to feel good. Nicotine quickly
becomes part of your daily routine and intertwined with your habits and feelings.
Common situations that trigger the urge to smoke include:
- Drinking coffee or taking breaks at work
- Talking on the phone
- Drinking alcohol
- Driving your car
- Spending time with friends
- To overcome your nicotine dependence, you need to become aware of your
triggers and make a plan for dealing with them.
- Risk factors
- Anyone who smokes or uses other forms of tobacco is at risk of becoming
dependent. Factors that influence who will use tobacco include:
- Age. Most people begin smoking during childhood or the teen years. The
younger you are when you begin smoking, the greater the chance that you'll
become addicted.
- Genetics. The likelihood that you will start smoking and keep smoking may be
partly inherited.
- Genetic factors may influence how receptors on the surface of your brain's
nerve cells respond to high doses of nicotine delivered by cigarettes.
- Parents and peers. Children who grow up with parents who smoke are more
likely to become smokers. Children with friends who smoke are also more
likely to try it.
- Depression or other mental illness. Many studies show an association between
depression and smoking. People who have depression, schizophrenia, post-
traumatic stress disorder or other forms of mental illness are more likely to be
smokers.
- Substance use. People who abuse alcohol and illegal drugs are more likely to
be smokers.
Complications 38
Tobacco smoke contains more than 60 known cancer-causing chemicals and
thousands of other harmful substances. Even "all natural" or herbal cigarettes have
harmful chemicals.
You already know that people who smoke cigarettes are much more likely to develop
and die of certain diseases than people who don't smoke. But you may not realize just
how many different health problems smoking causes:
 Lung cancer and lung disease. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer
deaths. In addition, smoking causes lung diseases, such as emphysema and
chronic bronchitis. Smoking also makes asthma worse.
 Other cancers. Smoking increases the risk of many types of cancer, including
cancer of the mouth, throat (pharynx), esophagus, larynx, bladder, pancreas,
kidney, cervix and some types of leukemia. Overall, smoking causes 30% of all
cancer deaths.
 Heart and circulatory system problems. Smoking increases your risk of dying
of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease, including heart attacks and
strokes. If you have heart or blood vessel disease, such as heart failure,
smoking worsens your condition.
 Diabetes. Smoking increases insulin resistance, which can set the stage for type
2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, smoking can speed the progress of
complications, such as kidney disease and eye problems.
 Eye problems. Smoking can increase your risk of serious eye problems such as
cataracts and loss of eyesight from macular degeneration.
 Infertility and impotence. Smoking increases the risk of reduced fertility in
women and the risk of impotence in men.
 Complications during pregnancy. Mothers who smoke while pregnant face a
higher risk of preterm delivery and giving birth to lower birth weight babies.
Prevention
The best way to prevent nicotine dependence is to not use tobacco in the first place.
The best way to keep children from smoking is to not smoke yourself. Research has
shown that children whose parents do not smoke or who successfully quit smoking
are much less likely to take up smoking.

SMOKING. Activities:

1) Read the text and then solve the activites:

39
 A. Match each word with its definition: 40

At Ease   Send out air from the lungs violently and noisily

Ashamed   Intellectually complex

However   Have an unpleasant or offensive smell

Sophisticated   Feeling embarrassed

Stink   Relaxed

Cough   In whatever manner

B. True or false, use a quote to illustrate your choice.

Ex:
Cath is a friend of the narrator True “My parents had let me go to a Christmas party with my friend
Cath”

People smoke for only one reason

Smoking is a real solution to personal

problems

Cath appears older than she is.

The boys didn’t respect the fact that the
narrator didn’t want to smoke

The narrator felt really comfortable

when she was with these boys.

She started to smoke because she

thought she would be more
appreciated.
After this episode, she did not fall into
smoking
She suffers from several side effects of
this addiction
 41
C. Fill in the blanks with some words from the correct word in the list
CUT DOWN / GIVE UP / LETHAL / LUNG CANCER /CHAIN SMOKER
/REHABILITATION CENTER

If the narrator wants to …………………………smoking, she will need a strong will

to succeed. There is no obligation to join a …………………………………….. to be
sure to ……………………………………. on this habit. Even though it could be
a ………………………………….. addiction and smoking could
provoke ………………………………………, she became
a …………………………………………. in a really short term.

2) Watch this video and be ready to discuss it in class:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqXHHAbf4jE
 42

ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

Alcohol use disorder is a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your
drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol or continuing to use alcohol even when it
causes problems. This disorder also involves having to drink more to get the same
effect or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking.
Alcohol use disorder includes a level of drinking that's sometimes called alcoholism.
Unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk
or causes other alcohol-related problems. It also includes binge drinking — a pattern
of drinking where a male has five or more drinks within two hours or a female has at
least four drinks within two hours. Binge drinking causes significant health and safety
risks.

If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems

functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. It can range from
mild to severe. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems,
so early treatment is important.

Symptoms: Alcohol use disorder can be mild, moderate or severe, based on the
number of symptoms you experience. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink

 • Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts 43
to do so
• Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol or recovering from alcohol use
• Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol
• Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home due to repeated
alcohol use
• Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it's causing physical, social,
work or relationship problems
• Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies to use alcohol
• Using alcohol in situations where it's not safe, such as when driving or swimming
• Developing a tolerance to alcohol so you need more to feel its effect or you have
a reduced effect from the same amount
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and shaking —
when you don't drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms
Alcohol use disorder can include periods of being drunk (alcohol intoxication) and
symptoms of withdrawal.

Alcohol intoxication results as the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream increases.

The higher the blood alcohol concentration is, the more likely you are to have bad
effects. Alcohol intoxication causes behavior problems and mental changes. These may
include inappropriate behavior, unstable moods, poor judgment, slurred speech,
problems with attention or memory, and poor coordination. You can also have periods
called "blackouts," where you don't remember events. Very high blood alcohol levels
can lead to coma, permanent brain damage or even death.

Alcohol withdrawal can occur when alcohol use has been heavy and prolonged and is
then stopped or greatly reduced. It can occur within several hours to 4 to 5 days later.
Signs and symptoms include sweating, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, problems
sleeping, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, and
occasionally seizures. Symptoms can be severe enough to impair your ability to
function at work or in social situations

Complications
Alcohol depresses your central nervous system. In some people, the initial reaction
may feel like an increase in energy. But as you continue to drink, you become drowsy
and have less control over your actions.
Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your 44
brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is
of particular concern when you're taking certain medications that also depress the
brain's function.

Impact on your safety

Excessive drinking can reduce your judgment skills and lower inhibitions, leading to
poor choices and dangerous situations or behaviors, including:

• Motor vehicle accidents and other types of accidental injury, such as drowning
• Relationship problems
• Poor performance at work or school
• Increased likelihood of committing violent crimes or being the victim of a crime
• Legal problems or problems with employment or finances
• Problems with other substance use
• Engaging in risky, unprotected sex, or experiencing sexual abuse or date rape
• Increased risk of attempted or completed suicide
Impact on your health

Drinking too much alcohol on a single occasion or over time can cause health problems,
including:

• Liver disease. Heavy drinking can cause increased fat in the liver (hepatic
steatosis) and inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis). Over time, heavy
drinking can cause irreversible destruction and scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis).
 • Digestive problems. Heavy drinking can result in inflammation of the stomach
45
lining (gastritis), as well as stomach and esophageal ulcers. It can also interfere
with your body's ability to get enough B vitamins and other nutrients. Heavy
drinking can damage your pancreas or lead to inflammation of the pancreas
(pancreatitis).
• Heart problems. Excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure and
increases your risk of an enlarged heart, heart failure or stroke. Even a single binge
can cause serious irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia) called atrial fibrillation.
• Diabetes complications. Alcohol interferes with the release of glucose from your
liver and can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is
dangerous if you have diabetes and are already taking insulin or some other
diabetes medications to lower your blood sugar level.
• Issues with sexual function and periods. Heavy drinking can cause men to have
difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction). In women, heavy
drinking can interrupt menstrual periods.
• Eye problems. Over time, heavy drinking can cause involuntary rapid eye
movement (nystagmus) as well as weakness and paralysis of your eye muscles
due to a deficiency of vitamin B-1 (thiamin). A thiamin deficiency can result in
other brain changes, such as irreversible dementia, if not promptly treated.
• Birth defects. Alcohol use during pregnancy may cause miscarriage. It may also
cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). FASDs can cause a child to be
born with physical and developmental problems that last a lifetime.

Prevention

Early intervention can prevent alcohol-related problems in teens. If you have a teenager,
be alert to signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem with alcohol:

• Loss of interest in activities and hobbies and in personal appearance

• Red eyes, slurred speech, problems with coordination and memory lapses
• Difficulties or changes in relationships with friends, such as joining a new crowd
• Declining grades and problems in school
• Frequent mood changes and defensive behavior

Activity: Read the following text carefully and solve the activities below.
WHY DO TEENAGERS DRINK? 46

Why is drinking alcohol so popular at the high school level?

As a high school student, I think I have a thorough understanding of what is going on.
Most people would agree that alcohol can be dangerous and quite damaging, directly
or indirectly. The only people who believe otherwise are either denying a known fact
or are extremely ignorant.
Most people would agree that being drunk isn't very pleasurable since they lose control
over many of their actions, and afterwards, as a direct result, feel darn sick. Personally,
I feel as though vomiting isn't much fun, but maybe it's me. Okay, let's be entirely
honest. What enjoyment is gained from drinking? I think I have an answer, and I'll
admit now I may be entirely off-base, but I have confidence in my theory: Drinking
gives a sense of infantile satisfaction.
When I was a junior, my English teacher (to make a point) put an envelope on his desk
that was labelled "dirty pictures" and he said nobody was to touch it. A child feels a
strong curiosity when told she or he cannot drink alcohol. Every child loves to disobey
the "rules". So she or he is compelled to try it. The reason why drinking is so popular
among high school students is because it is considered fun and acceptable to break
rules.
I have only one piece of advice for these drinkers: take responsibility for yourself and
ask yourself why you are drinking. Teenagers couldn't give an intelligent answer to
justify their actions. And "It's fun!" is not an intelligent answer. To put it nutshell: grow
up, you are impressing no one but other immature people.

A) Find words in the first four paragraphs of the text that mean approximately
the same as:
1. risky
2. harmful
3. agreeable
4. completely
5. satisfaction
B) Say who or what the underlined words in the text refer to: 47
1. who
2. they
3. his
4. it
5. it

C) Find evidence in the text for the following statements.

1. The author of the text is a teenage student.
2. It is commonly accepted that drinking alcohol is wrong.
3. Drunk people don’t control their actions.
4. High school students drink alcohol for fun and to disobey orders.
5. Drinking alcohol is an immature behaviour
 ALLERGIES 48

THE ABCs OF ALLERGIES

This is the VOA Special English Health Report.

An allergy is an unusually strong reaction to a substance. Many things can cause
allergies. The most common cause is pollen. Trees usually produce pollen in the spring,
grasses in the summer and weeds in the fall as part of their reproductive process.

Other causes include organisms such as dust mites and molds. Chemicals, plants and
dead skin particles from dogs and cats can also cause allergic reactions. So can insect
stings and some foods.

The most common kind of allergic reaction is itchy, watery eyes and a blocked or
watery nose. Allergies can also cause red, itchy skin. Some reactions can be life-
threatening -- for example, when breathing passages become blocked.

Avoiding whatever causes an allergy may not always be easy. Antihistamine drugs may
offer an effective treatment. Another treatment used in some cases is called
immunotherapy. A patient is injected with small amounts of the allergy-causing
substance. The idea is that larger and larger amounts are given over time until the
patient develops a resistance to the allergen.
In the United States, experts estimate that up to four percent of adults and up to eight 49
percent of young children have food allergies. Every year these allergies cause about
thirty thousand cases of anaphylaxis, a severe reaction that requires immediate
treatment.

It can result in trouble breathing and in some cases death. The National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases says one hundred to two hundred people die. It says
most of the reactions are caused by peanuts and tree nuts such as walnuts.

People can also be allergic to medicines. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma
and Immunology says about five to ten percent of bad reactions to commonly used
medicines are allergic. In other words, a person's immune system overreacts and
produces an allergic reaction. The most common reactions include skin rashes, itching,
breathing problems and swelling in areas such as the face.

But the academy estimates that allergic reactions to drugs cause one hundred six
thousand deaths each year in the United States alone. It says antibiotics such as
penicillin are among the drugs more likely than others to produce allergic reactions. So
are anticonvulsants and hormones such as insulin. Other kinds include some anesthesia
medicines, vaccines and biotechnology-produced proteins.

And that's the VOA Special English Health Report, written by Mario Ritter and Caty
Weaver. I'm Steve Ember.
Video activity: 50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM_ON4CHYW4

Before you watch: Mention the types of allergy that you know.

While you watch:

1) Mention the four conditions that are caused by an allergic reaction:

…....................................... …........................................
…....................................... ….........................................

2) Allergic rhinitis is caused by a reaction to …................................

When breathed in these normally harmless …....................... cause the body's immune
system to react, release ….......................... and cause ….................................
The symptoms of rhinitis are …..............................

3) Asthma is a …............................... that affects the ability to breathe by

narrowing …....................................................... into and out of the lungs.
The symptoms of asthma are …............................................

4) a) Atopic dermatitis is a type …....................................

The term ATOPIC refers to a …..................................... and the term dermatitis refers
to a …..............................
The term atopic dermatitis is often referred to as …......................... which is a general
term for several …........................................
b) Who is more likely to have this condition?
…...............................................................................................
c) What are the symptoms of atopic dermatitis?
….....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
5) A food allergy is a reaction to ….............................................
The body's immune system react to these …..................................... and releases
chemicals. A reaction to food can take within a few …........................... up to several
hours after the food is eaten.
b) What do the symptoms depend on? …..............................................
Symptoms may
be …................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
..
c) What types of food can cause allergy in children?
…..........................................................................................................
d) What types of food can cause allergy in adults?
…...................................................................................................................