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Non-communicable diseases
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Many of the biggest killers are not caught from other people. Lifestyle risk factors play a major part.
Risk factors
A risk factor makes a disease more likely.
Smoking: lung cancer, heart disease. Alcohol: liver disease. Poor diet and inactivity: obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease.
Smoking: lung cancer, heart disease. Alcohol: liver disease. Poor diet and inactivity: obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease.
Measuring obesity
BMI = mass (kg)(height (m))2
A BMI of 30 or more is usually classed as obese.
Waist-to-hip ratio = waist ÷ hip. A high ratio suggests more fat around the abdomen.
A BMI of 30 or more is usually classed as obese.
Waist-to-hip ratio = waist ÷ hip. A high ratio suggests more fat around the abdomen.
Treating heart disease
Lifestyle changes: diet, exercise, stopping smoking.
Medication: statins lower cholesterol.
Surgery: stents keep arteries open; bypass operations.
Medication: statins lower cholesterol.
Surgery: stents keep arteries open; bypass operations.
A person has mass 90 kg and height 1.8 m. Find their BMI.
- 1.82 = 3.24
- 90 ÷ 3.24
- = 27.8
Answer: 27.8
Risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, diet and inactivity increase the chance of non-communicable disease. BMI = mass ÷ height2. Heart disease can be treated by lifestyle, medication or surgery.
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