Knowledge is life

It has come to my attention throughout my experiences volunteering in many settings characterized by low awareness of health care ailments. In my trip to El Salvador and my volunteering this semester and last semester, I have seen many people who don't know exactly how to live a healthy life. 

An interest of my own revolves around nutrition, and I have found that many diseases including heart disease and type II diabetes can be induced by a improper diet. I have talked to many patients at various clinics and especially on the subject of nutrition, many still rely on grandma's special secret triple fried chicken for most of their meals. The concept of maintaining a healthy diet is something that I have been raised with. I have taken for granted the fact that my parents taught me what it means to eat a healthy diet. My mother, being a nurse, has instilled many good values in me in regards to eating a proper balance of macronutrients and micronutrients. 

This subject inspires me to make my health awareness brochure on something that is a wide spread health concern, yet relatively easy to mitigate - proper nutrition. I would like to discuss how nutrition plays a key role in maintaining healthy energy levels and can help prevent heart disease and diabetes, which are two wide spread health concerns. 

I am happy to say that society as a whole has been largely shifting to a healthier lifestyle characterized by better nutrition. Events such as 5k and 10k runs, as well as marathons and triathlons have become more popular among the common person, and men and women of all ages are now participating in their first active events. This greater awareness of being healthy is also accompanied by a healthier awareness of eating healthy. Food stores such as My Fit Foods have sprung up around town, and many restaurants have now been offering a healthy low-carb side menu along with their original ones. 

Yet, I feel like this awareness only go so deep into certain socioeconomic groups, and the lower levels are not as exposed. The key is to make people aware on all levels so that they may understand the benefits of living healthy. I am excited for my brochure and I want it to be something that truly raises awareness and captures the attention of the readers, with also easy methods of helping them switch their unhealthy meals with slight variations to make them healthier. I want to also note some activities that they may participate within their community to help them integrate into the growing community of active health awareness individuals.