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Health Information
Think about health before you have a health problem! Many modern health
issues are largely preventable. For example, Heart Disease doesn't just
happen overnight, it takes decades of poor lifestyle habits to develop. The
risk of contracting many common cancers is also linked to lifestyle habits.
Ireland has some of the worst rates of chronic disease in the Western
world, with 40% of our population dying from heart disease and 25% from
cancer. These illnesses have their roots in childhood, and are heavily
influenced by lifestyle. In general, Irish children consume large amounts of
junk food, do not consume enough fruit and vegetables, tend to be physically
inactive and watch large amounts of TV. These lifestyle habits are a health
timebomb, and are linked to an increased risk for:
 | Childhood Obesity |
| Type II Diabetes |
| Cancer |
| Heart Disease |
| Stroke |
Fairly simple lifestyle modifications have huge significance in terms
of quality of life and life expectancy, with prevention being a far more
effective strategy than treatment. Given that lifestyle habits are learned
in childhood, this issue has huge relevance for parents and schools.
Click on the topics on the left for some simple tips that will help you
and your family
to avoid serious illness. |
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According to the World Health
Organisation, physical inactivity is a major cause of chronic disease. The
couch potato lifestyle is implicated in 2 million deaths per year
across the globe. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart
disease, stroke, type II diabetes and certain cancers. |
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