By Cameron Ross
Obesity is not an epidemic but some dietitians think of it as the modern form of the plague. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) roughly 30 per cent of Americans are obese.
That portion equates to nearly 50 million people. Roughly 60 per cent of Americans are overweight. The next “fattest” country is Great Britain with 24 per cent of the population clinically obese.
Being obese or overweight is not always a product of bad health habits but thyroid problems can only account for so much excess fat. The main cause of being overweight is bad discipline.
Statistics from scientifically published reports from organizations such as the CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), and American Public Health Association (APHA) reveal that 95 per cent of cases of significant weight loss through non-surgical programs is regained within 3 to 5 years.
The last few years, bariatric surgeries have proven to be the most effective method of permanent weight loss. This surgery is also known as a gastric bypass.
Gastric bypasses are gaining popularity as a form of weight loss because reports show encouraging results and are proving to be less risky as the medical field makes advances.
Some obesity can be attributed to risk factors such as smoking. There are many assumptions about smoking, one that suggests it distracts from eating by minimizing appetite because of nicotine cravings.
One little-known fact is that going long periods of time without eating can slow down metabolism, leaving fat to be stored rather than metabolized.
Another dimension of obesity that is frequently neglected is diet. Walking into a café and ordering a 20 oz. vanilla latte is not the same as indulging in a cup of coffee. The objective of drinking coffee is to get caffeine for energy.
In American culture, such fads become saturated, much like the fat in a typical American diet. A flavored latte made with whole milk will have well over 300 calories. A plain (20 oz.) cup of coffee contains approximately 25 calories.
Before the mass production of drinks like the ones served at popular coffee franchises, people drank plain cups of coffee. This is one of many facts that can explain why obesity grows more every year.
Walking down the condiments aisle at a supermarket is like going to Disneyland for a lipids addict. Whether the choice is dressing, barbeque sauce, mustard, ketchup, or Alfredo sauce, the ingredients in the condiments are very concentrated.
The nutrition facts on the bottles or jar may not appear so bad until one realizes that the serving size is something miniscule such as one tablespoon or two teaspoons.
Devouring copious amounts of calories is not always a bad thing. If one were to ingest more calories than the standard 2,000 they would be maintaining his or her health if they exercised vigorously as some people do daily.
Burning calories by cardiovascular exercise helps build muscle out of the calories ingested and distributes the good vitamins and minerals while excreting the bad ones.
A balanced diet is still necessary, however, as this gives the body all the components necessary to perform such functions.
The statistics of increasing obesity are staggering and disturbing. Countless diet plans and nutritional theories flood the bookstores, Internet, and magazines all claiming to be the ideal.
Obvious truth to the matter is that different diets work for different people. DNA is the determining factor of health because it is hereditary nature of the body.
Obesity is the haunting result of a culture where luxuries are taken for granted. Proteins and fats are much more affordable than in the past when the country was not plagued with obesity.
It appears that weight will be a problem for the near future because health is a neglected discipline in American lifestyle that hasn’t improved in decades even with constant attention.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Insurance Hardly Makes a Difference
By Cameron Ross
Medical insurance is vital for families and the concept seems to make a lot of sense. Pay a certain amount of money every month to a health insurance company and when you require medical attention the insurance company will cover the cost(s). In theory the insurance will pay off in case of an emergency where the cost(s) may be astronomical but how often does that really happen? There are many angles from which one can verbally or legally attack insurance companies.
For a middle class male with a steady job and state or county insurance, they will pay over $1 thousand per month and in exchange, they have medical service at county hospitals and any practices that except the company on the card of insurance carriers. When an individual goes to the doctor for an examination they have a charge called a "co-pay", which is usually anywhere from $5-$15 depending on the location. From there, the patient will be lucky to even see a doctor because nurse practitioners are considered capable of handling the same duties at many practices.
Recently, Bonnie Jeffries, 67, of Stockton was hospitalized after suffering stroke. Jeffries also has diabetes. She has paid into Medi-Cal insurance her entire life since she began working in her early twenties. While recovering at the hospital, Jeffries fell when her walker got caught on a floor mat and caused her to lose her balance. The insurance covered the costs to tend to her bumps and bruises but will not cover the costs of placing her in a recovery center or a convalescent home. The insurance agent told Jeffries she must sell all her possessions and basically spend all of her own money on medical costs before Medi-Cal will begin to pay for such expenses.
If the objective of an insurance company is to pay for the customers' medical costs then why do they go to extreme measures to avoid it like an obligation? A business model is understandable and the idea is to profit but when the situation is analyzed it seems like an outright "rip-off." Restaurants do not avoid feeding customers. Barbershops do not avoid cutting hair. Insurance companies seem to be profitable, especially when so many people pay every month and rarely cost an amount to their insurance that equals what they pay over time.
There are frauds out there and it is understandable that the companies want to avoid being swindled but they have people hired precisely for such investigations yet other people suffer. Doctors seem to be timid to believe something is wrong with a patient because running tests costs a lot and negative results mean wasted money from the views of the insurance companies. A man with a bulging disc in his back that doesn't know the source of his pain may go in for a check-up and be told he is fine and to try physical therapy. He asks for an MRI but is told that is not necessary. After trying physical therapy his back condition worsens and he returns to the doctor and is told to stop exercising. His friend in medical school is an eager product of the science, not yet manipulated by the business side of being a doctor and tells him one of his vertebrae may be protruding. When the pain continues he returns yet again, demanding an X-ray or MRI. After his demands are granted, it is discovered that he has a bulging disc. The discovery is not from work of vigilant doctors but rather a persistent patient.
The insurance companies hold money over peoples' heads as a method of control. They intimidate in order to collect as much insurance payments as possible but then do everything possible to avoid keeping the promise of paying for medical expenses. In society it has become a joke in the sense that medical insurance is constantly ridiculed.
In countries with socialized medicine, all health care is covered for the people. Italy, Sweden, Canada, the list of countries with such healthcare continues while the U.S. continues to experience problems in this field. Taxes are paid in exchange for services and privileges. Citizens are supposed to get their money's worth out of their taxes but it doesn't seem to be the case. Health is always considered to be the most important quality of life. There is a cliché for when people are down that goes "At least you still have your health." Taxes could merge with the purpose of insurance and people could all be cared for equally. It works in other countries. This would mean higher taxes of course but maybe it would be worth it to everyone... we would probably never find out because the wealthy seem to run the country. Insurance companies are very wealthy. The U.S. is said to be a proud democracy. One may look at the country and see more similarities to capitalism but it is very difficult to make an unbiased observation.
Medical insurance is vital for families and the concept seems to make a lot of sense. Pay a certain amount of money every month to a health insurance company and when you require medical attention the insurance company will cover the cost(s). In theory the insurance will pay off in case of an emergency where the cost(s) may be astronomical but how often does that really happen? There are many angles from which one can verbally or legally attack insurance companies.
For a middle class male with a steady job and state or county insurance, they will pay over $1 thousand per month and in exchange, they have medical service at county hospitals and any practices that except the company on the card of insurance carriers. When an individual goes to the doctor for an examination they have a charge called a "co-pay", which is usually anywhere from $5-$15 depending on the location. From there, the patient will be lucky to even see a doctor because nurse practitioners are considered capable of handling the same duties at many practices.
Recently, Bonnie Jeffries, 67, of Stockton was hospitalized after suffering stroke. Jeffries also has diabetes. She has paid into Medi-Cal insurance her entire life since she began working in her early twenties. While recovering at the hospital, Jeffries fell when her walker got caught on a floor mat and caused her to lose her balance. The insurance covered the costs to tend to her bumps and bruises but will not cover the costs of placing her in a recovery center or a convalescent home. The insurance agent told Jeffries she must sell all her possessions and basically spend all of her own money on medical costs before Medi-Cal will begin to pay for such expenses.
If the objective of an insurance company is to pay for the customers' medical costs then why do they go to extreme measures to avoid it like an obligation? A business model is understandable and the idea is to profit but when the situation is analyzed it seems like an outright "rip-off." Restaurants do not avoid feeding customers. Barbershops do not avoid cutting hair. Insurance companies seem to be profitable, especially when so many people pay every month and rarely cost an amount to their insurance that equals what they pay over time.
There are frauds out there and it is understandable that the companies want to avoid being swindled but they have people hired precisely for such investigations yet other people suffer. Doctors seem to be timid to believe something is wrong with a patient because running tests costs a lot and negative results mean wasted money from the views of the insurance companies. A man with a bulging disc in his back that doesn't know the source of his pain may go in for a check-up and be told he is fine and to try physical therapy. He asks for an MRI but is told that is not necessary. After trying physical therapy his back condition worsens and he returns to the doctor and is told to stop exercising. His friend in medical school is an eager product of the science, not yet manipulated by the business side of being a doctor and tells him one of his vertebrae may be protruding. When the pain continues he returns yet again, demanding an X-ray or MRI. After his demands are granted, it is discovered that he has a bulging disc. The discovery is not from work of vigilant doctors but rather a persistent patient.
The insurance companies hold money over peoples' heads as a method of control. They intimidate in order to collect as much insurance payments as possible but then do everything possible to avoid keeping the promise of paying for medical expenses. In society it has become a joke in the sense that medical insurance is constantly ridiculed.
In countries with socialized medicine, all health care is covered for the people. Italy, Sweden, Canada, the list of countries with such healthcare continues while the U.S. continues to experience problems in this field. Taxes are paid in exchange for services and privileges. Citizens are supposed to get their money's worth out of their taxes but it doesn't seem to be the case. Health is always considered to be the most important quality of life. There is a cliché for when people are down that goes "At least you still have your health." Taxes could merge with the purpose of insurance and people could all be cared for equally. It works in other countries. This would mean higher taxes of course but maybe it would be worth it to everyone... we would probably never find out because the wealthy seem to run the country. Insurance companies are very wealthy. The U.S. is said to be a proud democracy. One may look at the country and see more similarities to capitalism but it is very difficult to make an unbiased observation.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Healthy Habits
Living a healthy life is simple but most of the general population does not scientifically qualify as "healthy" due to diet, lack of exercise, and/or stress. Many different aspects of life contribute to the overall spectrum of a person's health. A balanced diet provides the body with all the nutrients and fuel required to function properly. Exercise pushes the body physically to operate at intense levels and challenges the mind to push the body to the limits. Stress can affect one's health because when a person is sad, worried, annoyed, irritated, or in any way uncomfortable the body can produce hormones and chemicals that induce the feeling of stress which can result in fatigue, depression, and physical problems like ulcers.
An introduction to the theories of health involves simple, broad generaizations. Before getting into complicated ideas that fcus on specific elements of health, one must categorize things into different areas. People have a general sense of what's healthy because of natural instincts. Behavior often dictates what is heathy because trends and fads exist for the sake of improving people. The typical idea of health involves the body and how it operates. It usually does not extend beyond diet and exercise in basic portions. The truth is that being healthy involves emotional and spiritual progress aside from physical adequacy.
For instance, a person may live in a cold region of the world and exercise regularly and eat healthy. They may also love their job and be social but if they don't see much sun, they are lacking in vitamins that come from sunlight. While not an extreme problem, this is one angle to look at people who may not be entirely healthy and are not aware. These people can likely survive and lead satisfying lives but there are cases where people in certain regions are health-challenged because of their environment.
Fitness and health are complex subjects each with endless philosophies. The bottom line is usually whatever makes you happy makes you healthy. Unfortunately there is a little more to the idea than that and people are slowly learning such with progressive studies and discoveries. There are many varieties of health to study and discuss. There are new findings and suggestions practically every day. All people need to do it pick up a health-oriented magazine or read other types of publications concerning the topic.
An introduction to the theories of health involves simple, broad generaizations. Before getting into complicated ideas that fcus on specific elements of health, one must categorize things into different areas. People have a general sense of what's healthy because of natural instincts. Behavior often dictates what is heathy because trends and fads exist for the sake of improving people. The typical idea of health involves the body and how it operates. It usually does not extend beyond diet and exercise in basic portions. The truth is that being healthy involves emotional and spiritual progress aside from physical adequacy.
For instance, a person may live in a cold region of the world and exercise regularly and eat healthy. They may also love their job and be social but if they don't see much sun, they are lacking in vitamins that come from sunlight. While not an extreme problem, this is one angle to look at people who may not be entirely healthy and are not aware. These people can likely survive and lead satisfying lives but there are cases where people in certain regions are health-challenged because of their environment.
Fitness and health are complex subjects each with endless philosophies. The bottom line is usually whatever makes you happy makes you healthy. Unfortunately there is a little more to the idea than that and people are slowly learning such with progressive studies and discoveries. There are many varieties of health to study and discuss. There are new findings and suggestions practically every day. All people need to do it pick up a health-oriented magazine or read other types of publications concerning the topic.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
query for story #2
Mary Pitchford - Editor
Career Communications, Inc.
6701 W. 64th St., Suite 210
Overland Park, KS 66202
Dear Mary Pitchford,
I am proposing to write an article for your magazine, which focuses on a college student in the midst of a career change.
The subject is a 23-year-old senior at California State University Sacramento and he is a business administration major.
Recently, Jason Teske was working for a housing development group, basically as a realtor. Teske does not yet have his realtor’s license and therefore was not eligible for commission of his sales.
As a full-time student working five days a week he does not have enough time to study for such an exam so he decided to leave the real estate world and pursue his dream of being a sports agent.
He recently started an internship for the Sacramento Rivercats baseball organization where he promotes the team through events and contests.
Your publication has encouraging writing for students and advice for educational purposes, which would welcome the piece I’m proposing.
An article about a young man nearly finished with college switching career paths while staying within the spectrum of his major would give lots of students hope of achieving their dream.
I’m writing this article while enrolled at California State University Sacramento in the journalism program and I’m currently taking a magazine writing course instructed by Michael Fitzgerald, currently a freelance magazine writer.
The article can be customized to fit your preference and I’d be eager to do further work on it if you wanted me to expand on anything.
Career Communications, Inc.
6701 W. 64th St., Suite 210
Overland Park, KS 66202
Dear Mary Pitchford,
I am proposing to write an article for your magazine, which focuses on a college student in the midst of a career change.
The subject is a 23-year-old senior at California State University Sacramento and he is a business administration major.
Recently, Jason Teske was working for a housing development group, basically as a realtor. Teske does not yet have his realtor’s license and therefore was not eligible for commission of his sales.
As a full-time student working five days a week he does not have enough time to study for such an exam so he decided to leave the real estate world and pursue his dream of being a sports agent.
He recently started an internship for the Sacramento Rivercats baseball organization where he promotes the team through events and contests.
Your publication has encouraging writing for students and advice for educational purposes, which would welcome the piece I’m proposing.
An article about a young man nearly finished with college switching career paths while staying within the spectrum of his major would give lots of students hope of achieving their dream.
I’m writing this article while enrolled at California State University Sacramento in the journalism program and I’m currently taking a magazine writing course instructed by Michael Fitzgerald, currently a freelance magazine writer.
The article can be customized to fit your preference and I’d be eager to do further work on it if you wanted me to expand on anything.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Quey Letter-Story #1
Andy Bromage - Managing Editor
New Haven Advocate
900 Chapel Street, Suite 1100
New Haven, CT 06510
Contemporary American culture is founded on social convening at popular
gatherings. In Stockton, California, the Thunder have opened the city’s eyes to hockey in a place where it isn’t very popular. Hockey has come to be well known over the years for the physicality of the sport. Hockey fans see the physical endurance and athleticism required by the great hockey players of our time, but few people realize what goes on behind the scenes. Most people do see the extreme sacrifices made by the players on an emotional and familial level. In my article “Dreams Can
Land You in Stockton,” I seek to delve into the true lives of hockey players.
I’ve talked with players about their journeys and how they deal with the hectic travel and relocations that the sport requires. Players have to make sacrifices for the sport and it means ever-changing distance between them and family. Troy Bodie and Liam Reddox of the Thunder both grew up in Canada and now reside in Stockton until hockey takes them elsewhere. Bodie is from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, a small, quiet town much different than Stockton. Reddox is from East York (Toronto), Ontario, also different from Stockton.
Lucky for these players they can find comfort in one another and in their fan base. They have been joyously welcomed by the city of Stockton and have made the best of their living situation far from home. They have come to see one another as family by enjoying time together off the ice. Also, they have maintained close ties to family through regular phone calls. I want to offer readers a perspective on hockey that most people take for granted by giving them a behind-the-scenes view into the daily life of the hockey player. My article seeks to show hockey fans how much the players give of themselves for the love of the game.
They are part of the contemporary culture of Stockton where crowds of all ages attend games and qualify as the best attendance of any team in the ECHL. This will appeal to your magazine audience because it will diversify your articles by touching a unique subject. Young Canadian men are the heart of one of the popular cultural fads in a growing town in Northern California.
New Haven Advocate
900 Chapel Street, Suite 1100
New Haven, CT 06510
Contemporary American culture is founded on social convening at popular
gatherings. In Stockton, California, the Thunder have opened the city’s eyes to hockey in a place where it isn’t very popular. Hockey has come to be well known over the years for the physicality of the sport. Hockey fans see the physical endurance and athleticism required by the great hockey players of our time, but few people realize what goes on behind the scenes. Most people do see the extreme sacrifices made by the players on an emotional and familial level. In my article “Dreams Can
Land You in Stockton,” I seek to delve into the true lives of hockey players.
I’ve talked with players about their journeys and how they deal with the hectic travel and relocations that the sport requires. Players have to make sacrifices for the sport and it means ever-changing distance between them and family. Troy Bodie and Liam Reddox of the Thunder both grew up in Canada and now reside in Stockton until hockey takes them elsewhere. Bodie is from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, a small, quiet town much different than Stockton. Reddox is from East York (Toronto), Ontario, also different from Stockton.
Lucky for these players they can find comfort in one another and in their fan base. They have been joyously welcomed by the city of Stockton and have made the best of their living situation far from home. They have come to see one another as family by enjoying time together off the ice. Also, they have maintained close ties to family through regular phone calls. I want to offer readers a perspective on hockey that most people take for granted by giving them a behind-the-scenes view into the daily life of the hockey player. My article seeks to show hockey fans how much the players give of themselves for the love of the game.
They are part of the contemporary culture of Stockton where crowds of all ages attend games and qualify as the best attendance of any team in the ECHL. This will appeal to your magazine audience because it will diversify your articles by touching a unique subject. Young Canadian men are the heart of one of the popular cultural fads in a growing town in Northern California.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Profile Blogggg
Many people are probably choosing someone rather prestigious to interview but I want to take a different route and profile someone that is simply very interesting. One of my bosses at work has had a very strange life and always has interesting stories to tell about random experiences. His name is Jay and he's 36 years old.
He was adopted as a child just before he was about to be placed in an orphanage in Texas. The family that adopted him had two daughters nearly 20 years older. Jay was not always treated fairly but eventually moved out to California.
Here, he attended Sac State for a few years. I'm not positive whether he graduated but I know he said he would have done some things differently. He managed a Chinese movie store for a couple years, which he says was his favorite job.
He started at my work just before me and was employee of the month every month before he got promoted to supervisor. He's an artist and constantly draws in his free time and has had comics published.
I can recall a number of very unique stories he's told me over just a few minutes at work. His life has had extreme ups and downs. He was homeless twice. He was married and divorced. His girlfriend makes way more money than him. He also collects toys. He may sound quirky, and he is, but he's been through a lot of drama and has an intriguing wisdom.
He was adopted as a child just before he was about to be placed in an orphanage in Texas. The family that adopted him had two daughters nearly 20 years older. Jay was not always treated fairly but eventually moved out to California.
Here, he attended Sac State for a few years. I'm not positive whether he graduated but I know he said he would have done some things differently. He managed a Chinese movie store for a couple years, which he says was his favorite job.
He started at my work just before me and was employee of the month every month before he got promoted to supervisor. He's an artist and constantly draws in his free time and has had comics published.
I can recall a number of very unique stories he's told me over just a few minutes at work. His life has had extreme ups and downs. He was homeless twice. He was married and divorced. His girlfriend makes way more money than him. He also collects toys. He may sound quirky, and he is, but he's been through a lot of drama and has an intriguing wisdom.
Monday, March 5, 2007
story #2
-When someone gets into real estate sales they automatically have potential to make lots of money. My best friend is only 23 and has already sold several homes for a housing development in Rocklin. Unfortunately, in order to be paid commission on sales he is required to have his realtor's license.
-He has not yet acquired this license and the result is missing out on lots and lots of money. It takes time and effort to earn a realtor's license and as a full-time student he strugglesto find free time. He also works over 30 hours a week for the housing development.
-As his friends, like me, work customer service at jobs that require little effort he works like a professional. Since he is in school studying business and communications he decided that he wants to be in sports broadcasting rather than real estate. He is also considering being a sports agent.
-He is on the verge of graduating and has contacted people that are offering him oppoortunities to find a way into the sports market. Real estate and sport broadcasting/athlete representation both involve lots of sweet talking, like in Jerry Maguire. Lucky for my friend he has the gift of gab and can bull shi* his way through anything.
-All I have for this idea is framework, I need more depth support only I'm not sure what I should look for to make the story interesting. It is based on a close friend's career change which leaps from an occupation based on money and encouragement to an occuptation based on passion and charisma. Any help would be much appreciated.
-He has not yet acquired this license and the result is missing out on lots and lots of money. It takes time and effort to earn a realtor's license and as a full-time student he strugglesto find free time. He also works over 30 hours a week for the housing development.
-As his friends, like me, work customer service at jobs that require little effort he works like a professional. Since he is in school studying business and communications he decided that he wants to be in sports broadcasting rather than real estate. He is also considering being a sports agent.
-He is on the verge of graduating and has contacted people that are offering him oppoortunities to find a way into the sports market. Real estate and sport broadcasting/athlete representation both involve lots of sweet talking, like in Jerry Maguire. Lucky for my friend he has the gift of gab and can bull shi* his way through anything.
-All I have for this idea is framework, I need more depth support only I'm not sure what I should look for to make the story interesting. It is based on a close friend's career change which leaps from an occupation based on money and encouragement to an occuptation based on passion and charisma. Any help would be much appreciated.
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