Health psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Health psychology - Essay Example She is overweight, which is likely to be the contributing factor to her obesity. She is being regularly seen by her GP for monitoring. Her GP has recommended a change of diet and an increase in activity in order to manage her diabetes without being overly dependent on insulin injections. No improvements in Andrea’s condition were however seen. The GP suspects that she is not complying with his advice. Andrea however claims that she has changed her eating habits and has resorted to walking instead of taking the bus to work every day. Historical and conceptual background of the problem The issue of diabetes was first seen about 1550BC when an Egyptian papyrus described a disease which can cause a person to rapidly lose weight and to urinate frequently (Diabetes.uk, 2011). More references to this disease were seen in other ancient societies, including the Greeks, where they speak of a disease which manifests with excessive thirst, excessive urination, and loss of weight. Aretaeus , a Greek physician, named the disease â€Å"diabetes,† a word which means â€Å"flowing through† (Diabetes.uk, 2011). During the 19th century, more tests were developed which made it possible to test the presence of excess sugar in the urine. Attempts at treating this disease were attempted but were initially unsuccessful. During the Franco-Prussian War, a treatment which primarily involved a restricted diet was implemented and this diet seemed to be effective in managing the disease (Diabetes.uk, 2011). Microscopic studies by Philip Langerhans around this time also helped identify the tiny cell islands in the pancreas. Barron, in the 1920s related Langerhan’s cells to diabetes. Insulin was also identified and linked with the pancreas and diabetes. The treatment of this disease has improved significantly since then (Diabetes.uk, 2011). However, it remains one of the most difficult and delicate diseases to manage in health care. It has been known to cause variou s health complications, including organ damage and heart disease. Diet is said to be one of the major contributors to the rising rates of diabetes in the population. This diet is largely based on a high fat, high cholesterol, and high carbohydrate diet found in the foods currently consumed by the general population. Unhealthy diets often cause the increase of glucose in the blood—more than what the insulin can carry and bring to the pancreas for processing (Leslie and Robbins, 1995). Moreover, researchers have also established the condition known as endoplasmic reticulum stress triggered by a high fat diet. This stress causes the increased production of glucose in the liver which is a crucial step towards insulin resistance (Salk Institute, 2009). A major concern in the food industry and in health is the fact that more and more people prefer to eat in fast foods. These fast food chains sell foods which are high in fat, in sodium, and in carbohydrate content, thereby increasin g the prevalence of obesity in the general population (VOA News, 2005). Many working professionals who are too busy to go home and cook home cooked and healthy meals are also opting for fast foods. Andrea is no doubt one of these individuals who have been drawn into this type of diet. She occupies a managerial position which likely leaves room for healthy eating which also implies her indulgence in fast foods for her regular meals. The diabetes issue in Andrea’