Question.3358 - Based on your consumption of fluids (beverages, soups, etc.) and descriptions of hydrated and dehydrated individuals, do you think you are well hydrated? Explain your answer. Determine if your main source of water is flouridated and share your thoughts about what you find out. Suppose you ate too much or too little minerals and trace minerals. What risk factors to your health might you expect? Measure your BMI or the BMI of someone you know. Assess how the BMI compares with the normal range. What, if any, changes do you suggest to raise or lower the BMI. Describe the method used to measure the BMI. As BMI is largely outdated in the medical community, also find one other method you could use to measure body density. Note the advantages or disadvantages of each method.
Answer Below:
1. My fluid consumption includes water, tea, and soups. I feel I am well hydrated. By checking the color of my urine, I monitor my hydration status as it indicates often pale yellow that means good hydration (Health Direct Australia, 2021). I hardly face any symptoms of dehydration such as headaches, dry mouth, or fatigue etc. Therefore, I assume my hydration levels are adequate (Texas Health and Human Services.n.d.) (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). 2. My main source of water is tap water, which is fluoridated. Fluoridation of water is beneficial as it helps in preventing tooth decay and maintaining dental health. Knowing that my tap water is fluoridated reassures me that I am receiving these dental health benefits (Health Direct Australia, 2021). 3. Adequate levels of minerals is very important as consuming too much or too little minerals and trace minerals can pose significant health risks. Intaking excess quantity of it led to toxicity, causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and even organ damage (Health Direct Australia, 2021). On the other hand weakened immune function, bone density loss, and anemia happen because of the deficiency. It is fundamentally important to maintain the balance of minerals to avoid these adverse health effects (Texas Health and Human Services.n.d.) (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). . 4. To measure BMI, we need to divide a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. For example, if someone weighs 70 kg and is 1.75 meters tall, their BMI would be calculated as follows: BMI = 1.75270=22.86 When a BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, it is considered to be normal. If the BMI is outside this range, adjustments in diet and physical activity may be necessary to achieve a healthier weight. However, BMI has limitations as it does not account for muscle mass.Another alternative method which is there to measure body density is the Body Fat Percentage (BFP). It can be measure using tools like skinfold calipers or bioelectrical impedance analysis. BFP provides a more accurate measure of body composition, distinguishing between fat and muscle mass. But the disadvantage of these methods are that the process of using them is really complex and requires special equipment. References: Health Direct Australia. (2021, January 22). Drinking water. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/drinking-water-and-your-health Texas Health and Human Services. (n.d.). The importance of hydration. https://www.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/services/health/texercise/importance-of-hydration.pdf Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Dehydration. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9013-dehydrationMore Articles From English