Nutrition in Adulthood

Addictive Behaviours Harming Health

• Drug abuse is a common addictive behaviour, with the most common types of drugs consumed including opiates (e.g. heroin, morphine, codeine, opium) and amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) (e.g. ecstasy, metamphetamines, amphetamines).

• Drug misuse can lead to short-term effects such as changes in appetite, wakefulness, heart rate, blood pressure, mood, and even heart attack, stroke, psychosis, overdose, and death.

• Longer-term effects of drug misuse include heart or lung disease, cancer, mental illness, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and addiction (a brain disorder).

Physical Activity

• Physical activity is any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure.

• There are four components of physical activity: occupational/work, household chores, leisure time activities, and transportation.

• Exercise is a type of physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive, performed to improve physical fitness.

• Sports are a form of physical activity that involves competition, exercise, or occupation.

• Regular physical activity has 7 benefits, including controlling weight, improving sleep, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Impact of Stress on Health

• Long-term effects of unrelieved stress can be detrimental to health, leading to gastric upset, increased secretion of stomach acid, peptic ulcer, and stomach problems.

• Stress can also lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease, as well as eating patterns that result in overeating or binge eating, weight gain, anorexia, or bulimia nervosa.

Stress Reduction

• Stress can be reduced through sufficient rest, relaxation/meditation, regular exercise, eating healthy and well-balanced meals, strong social support systems, good time management, and good organizational skills.

Addictive Behaviours Harming Health - Smoking

• Smoking is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and stroke.

• Smoking accelerates the development of atherosclerotic lesions and compounds risks associated with alcohol use, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

• The mortality risk of smoking increases with the number of cigarettes smoked, and is higher if smoking began at a younger age.

Addictive Behaviours Harming Health - Alcohol Abuse

• Alcohol abuse can impact nutritional status, reducing the absorption of vitamins B6 and B12, folate, and zinc in the GI tract.

• Malnutrition can occur as a result of adding calories without protein or essential vitamins and minerals.

• Alcohol abuse can also lead to development of liver abnormalities, depletion of vitamin A in liver stores, and an increased risk of cancer of the liver, breast, and pancreas.

• One serving/drink of alcohol is defined as 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of 80-proof liquor.

• Alcohol consumption peaks in young adulthood and continues at a relatively high level among middle-aged adults in Malaysia.

Life Stages and Health

• Young people are most vulnerable to drugs, particularly during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood.

• Different life stages can have an impact on lifestyle, including personal development, career development, relationships, marriage, starting a family, ageing parents, and retirement.

• These life stages can lead to various health risks, including smoking, alcohol intake, weight gain, and increased risk of chronic diseases.

Addictive Behaviours Harming Health

• Drug abuse is a common addictive behaviour, with the most common types of drugs consumed including opiates (e.g. heroin, morphine, codeine, opium) and amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) (e.g. ecstasy, metamphetamines, amphetamines).

• Drug misuse can lead to short-term effects such as changes in appetite, wakefulness, heart rate, blood pressure, mood, and even heart attack, stroke, psychosis, overdose, and death.

• Longer-term effects of drug misuse include heart or lung disease, cancer, mental illness, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and addiction (a brain disorder).

Physical Activity

• Physical activity is any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure.

• There are four components of physical activity: occupational/work, household chores, leisure time activities, and transportation.

• Exercise is a type of physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive, performed to improve physical fitness.

• Sports are a form of physical activity that involves competition, exercise, or occupation.

• Regular physical activity has 7 benefits, including controlling weight, improving sleep, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Impact of Stress on Health

• Long-term effects of unrelieved stress can be detrimental to health, leading to gastric upset, increased secretion of stomach acid, peptic ulcer, and stomach problems.

• Stress can also lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease, as well as eating patterns that result in overeating or binge eating, weight gain, anorexia, or bulimia nervosa.

Stress Reduction

• Stress can be reduced through sufficient rest, relaxation/meditation, regular exercise, eating healthy and well-balanced meals, strong social support systems, good time management, and good organizational skills.

Addictive Behaviours Harming Health - Smoking

• Smoking is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and stroke.

• Smoking accelerates the development of atherosclerotic lesions and compounds risks associated with alcohol use, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

• The mortality risk of smoking increases with the number of cigarettes smoked, and is higher if smoking began at a younger age.

Addictive Behaviours Harming Health - Alcohol Abuse

• Alcohol abuse can impact nutritional status, reducing the absorption of vitamins B6 and B12, folate, and zinc in the GI tract.

• Malnutrition can occur as a result of adding calories without protein or essential vitamins and minerals.

• Alcohol abuse can also lead to development of liver abnormalities, depletion of vitamin A in liver stores, and an increased risk of cancer of the liver, breast, and pancreas.

• One serving/drink of alcohol is defined as 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of 80-proof liquor.

• Alcohol consumption peaks in young adulthood and continues at a relatively high level among middle-aged adults in Malaysia.

Life Stages and Health

• Young people are most vulnerable to drugs, particularly during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood.

• Different life stages can have an impact on lifestyle, including personal development, career development, relationships, marriage, starting a family, ageing parents, and retirement.

• These life stages can lead to various health risks, including smoking, alcohol intake, weight gain, and increased risk of chronic diseases.

Physiological Changes in Adulthood

• Physiological needs level off, with gradual cell loss and reduced cell metabolism
• Gradual reduction in performance capacity of most organ systems
• Hormonal shifts related to reproductive capacity, leading to weight gain

Physiological Changes in Men

• Completed muscle mass and long bone growth
• Gradual decline in testosterone levels, starting at around 40-50 years old
• Reproductive health issues, including decreased sperm production in the underweight and declined libido in the malnourished
• Alcohol use can result in defective sperm

Physiological Changes in Women

• Increased amounts of subcutaneous fat, particularly in the abdomen, during prior pregnancies
• Irregularity of menstrual cycles and ovulation failure, leading to menopause around 50 years old
• Weight gain and decrease in muscle mass
• Decreased bone mass and increased risk for osteoporosis
• Atrophy of tissues in the urinary tract and vagina
• Progressive decline in estrogen production during perimenopause

Diet-Related Chronic Diseases

• Diet, nutrition, and physical activity play a crucial role in preventing chronic diseases, including diabetes, CVD, cancer, dental disease, and osteoporosis
• Obesity is a risk factor for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)
• Foetal development, maternal environment, and childhood development affect risks to diseases in adulthood

Nutrition Scene in Malaysia

• Poor dietary practices, including lack of supportive environment for healthy eating
• Triple burden of malnutrition among Malaysians, requiring tackling
• Poor dietary habits and practices, including high intake of sodium and fat, and low intake of fruits, vegetables, milk, and dairy products
• High prevalence of fast food consumption among school children

Cardiovascular Disease

• Defined as a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, and deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
• Risk factors for CVD include those identified in the NHMS 2023 data

Physiological Changes in Adulthood

• Physiological needs level off, with gradual cell loss and reduced cell metabolism
• Gradual reduction in performance capacity of most organ systems
• Hormonal shifts related to reproductive capacity, leading to weight gain

Physiological Changes in Men

• Completed muscle mass and long bone growth
• Gradual decline in testosterone levels, starting at around 40-50 years old
• Reproductive health issues, including decreased sperm production in the underweight and declined libido in the malnourished
• Alcohol use can result in defective sperm

Physiological Changes in Women

• Increased amounts of subcutaneous fat, particularly in the abdomen, during prior pregnancies
• Irregularity of menstrual cycles and ovulation failure, leading to menopause around 50 years old
• Weight gain and decrease in muscle mass
• Decreased bone mass and increased risk for osteoporosis
• Atrophy of tissues in the urinary tract and vagina
• Progressive decline in estrogen production during perimenopause

Diet-Related Chronic Diseases

• Diet, nutrition, and physical activity play a crucial role in preventing chronic diseases, including diabetes, CVD, cancer, dental disease, and osteoporosis
• Obesity is a risk factor for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)
• Foetal development, maternal environment, and childhood development affect risks to diseases in adulthood

Nutrition Scene in Malaysia

• Poor dietary practices, including lack of supportive environment for healthy eating
• Triple burden of malnutrition among Malaysians, requiring tackling
• Poor dietary habits and practices, including high intake of sodium and fat, and low intake of fruits, vegetables, milk, and dairy products
• High prevalence of fast food consumption among school children

Cardiovascular Disease

• Defined as a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, and deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
• Risk factors for CVD include those identified in the NHMS 2023 data