Conditions Affected by Lifestyle Choices

Several conditions are significantly influenced by lifestyle choices; these include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
Cardiovascular disease refers to illnesses of the heart and blood vessels. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce the risk of developing this disease.
Factors such as consuming a diet high in saturated fats and salts, smoking, heavy drinking, and lack of regular exercise increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Type 2 diabetes is another condition affected by lifestyle choices. It arises when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body’s cells don’t react to insulin, leading to abnormally high blood sugar levels.
Proper diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight can help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.
Obesity significantly raises the likelihood of type 2 diabetes. Consuming sugary and high-fat foods frequently and not being physically active are main contributors to obesity.
Some cancers, like bowel, breast, lung, and skin cancers, are also linked to lifestyle choices. Tobacco use and exposure to sun significantly increase the chances of lung and skin cancer, respectively.
A high fibre, low fat and low salt diet can reduce the risk of developing bowel and breast cancer. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight are also crucial.
Habitual alcohol consumption can cause liver cancer and drinking less alcohol reduces the risk.
Regular self-screening and clinical screening can detect early symptoms of these conditions allowing for early treatment.
It’s important to understand that genetics also plays a role in these conditions. However, adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risks.