While stumped for a topic, my research led me to several interesting questions which I would like to share.
An article in Thursday’s Washington Post sparked my interest from the very start. It included the findings of the World Health Organization’s annual report, which listed the world’s 20 biggest health risks that cause premature death.
The top 10 worldwide health hazards, in order of danger, are: malnutrition, unsafe sex, high blood pressure, tobacco, alcohol, unsafe water and sanitation and hygiene, iron deficiency, indoor pollution, high cholesterol and obesity.
The top risk to the world’s poorer nations is malnutrition, while unsafe sex is second.
In contrast, richer nations, such as ours, suffer most from tobacco use, followed by high blood pressure, alcohol consumption, high cholesterol, obesity, low fruit and vegetable intake and inadequate exercise.
If you haven’t already noticed, these hazards are preventable. WHO also reported that if these issues are resolved, poorer nations can add an extra 10 years of healthy life and the richest can add an extra five. After reading this article I wondered, “When it comes to living longer, why don’t Americans just stop smoking and drinking and starting eating well?”
Then I realized — Smoking, drinking and eating make people happy, so Americans don’t want to stop.
While puzzled, I stumbled upon www.arise.org, the Web site of the Associates for Research Into the Science of Enjoyment. Here, I learned a plethora of information about the science of pleasure.
I also learned happy people tend to live longer. How can that be? I thought things that caused pleasure were usually bad for you.
The site further explained methods of pleasure should be obtained in moderation. As we have all heard, moderation is key.
So my new question was, “How can health advocates teach Americans to enjoy things of pleasure without abusing them?”
So, I looked to information focused on addiction. I found that scientists associate the brain chemical dopamine to the bright feelings of pleasure and elation. However, dopamine is also linked to darker traits, such as addiction.
I could not settle on the fact that Americans have some sort of chemical imbalance that makes us not know when to stop. Instead, I found other factors, such as social environment and personal values play a role in addiction.
One particular study done in 1981 stood out. This study showed alcoholics respond with alcoholic behavior when they are told they are drinking liquor but are not, while they behave normally when they drink disguised alcoholic beverages. In theory, nicotine, alcohol and food may not be causing addiction. Perhaps our rich American society is.
This quest for a topic leads me to more questions rather than a conclusion. The final questions — In America, has our relentless quest for freedom weakened our grasp on self-control? And, as a society, how can we teach ourselves moderation for the sake of longevity?