Diet, Exercise and Eating Disorders

Diet, Exercise and Eating Disorders

In the Middle Ages, the fatter a woman was, the more beautiful she was considered. Indeed, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and beauty standards evolve and change with communities. Furthermore, today, different societies attribute different traits to diverse beauty elements. In most modern societies, the thin female body is idealized and the emaciated waif image is promoted by the media to a significant degree. Some academics believe that such idealization and subsequent internalization of the thin ideal, leads many girls and women to suffer from eating disorders, discussed later in the present short essay.

Diets are dissimilar and vary not only in terms of their efficiency, but also in terms of their health benefits. For example, crash diets are rumoured to be inefficient and to cause health problems. Therefore, crash dieting is not only detrimental to your health, but may not make you lose weight, especially in the long run. Actually, this is a very important part of diet and exercise impact on weight maintenance, weight control, weight loss and weight gain: the long term. Because many diets may appear to make you slimmer in the short run by making you lose water the body holds naturally, but they remain inefficient in the long haul.

An anorexic Woman. Illustration by Elena

Further, countless studies have been done on how diet and exercise interacts with weight control. For example, motivation to maintain and/or lose weight may be extrinsic or intrinsic, just as is the case with motivation in general. Motivation can be intrinsic or internal, and extrinsic or external. Extrinsic motivation remains tied to external rewards and is generally considered less reliable, since if the rewards disappear, so does the desire to perform the activity. Indeed, researchers have shown that people who were intrinsically motivated to exercise, and who exercised with vigour and repeatedly, kept the weigh off for longer periods after an intervention program was carried out.

Alternatively, eating disorders may be viewed as the unhealthy, abnormal continuum of dieting and exercising. To illustrate, wanting to be fit and enrolling in a weight-lifting program is a healthy endeavour, to be praised in many cases. However, counting calories may become an obsession for some and turn into an anorexic or bulimic nightmare. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are some of the most common eating disorders which have to do with excessive preoccupation with weight and body proportions, and also a distorted self-image. Anorexia and bulimia affect mostly women and homosexual men, although extreme bodybuilding has been proposed as the equivalent of the mental illnesses in heterosexual men.

Notwithstanding, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating comprise disorders compiled in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – fifth version). Antidepressant medication may at times be prescribed to treat these in conjunction with other therapies. Moderation seems to be one factor distancing disordered eating from healthy attention to one’s diet and physical activity, but others claim that it is the point when the mind is no longer in control of the regimens, but the calorie counting and strenuous exercising take over and one loses control. Others, mostly scholars, point to neurochemical imbalances, and other genetic, biological and scientific explanations drawing the line between healthy and unhealthy dieting, and normal and excessive going to the gym.

Poker

Poker

Cut the deck, please: A quick review of how to play poker

If you want to learn how to play bridge, you need to either read a book or take lessons. But here are the rules and some tricks too the trade for this popular card game that almost anoyone can play. That's no guarantee, of course, that you'll draw good cards, but at least you'll be prepared to call the other guy's bet.

Poker - five-card draw

Poker pits one player against another. Casinos that provide poker tables make their money by taking a percentage of the winnings or charging by the hour for the use of their table and dealer. If you are not an expert, a casino is definitely not the place to test your skill. Better to wager chips or change in the comfort of your own home

There are hundreds of card games based onslight modification of standard poker of “five-card draw”. Common variations include adding wild cards, changing the way in which players bet, and altering the size of each hand. The goal is always the same: get a better hand (selection of cards) than the other players.

To play five-card draw, shuffle a regular 52-card deck and deal 5 cards to each of three to seven players. Typically each player plays a small sum, called an “ante,” for the privilege of seeing his or her hand. All bets (and antes) are placed in the pot, a pile of money in the center of the table. Players bet on their cards in a clockwise fashion, starting at the dealer's left. The first player has several betting options:

Fold: Throwing in his or her cards and sitting out the rest of the hand. Any time a player folds at this stage, the ante remains in the pot and goes to the winner.

Bet: Placing a wager in the pot.

Pass: Choosing not to make a wager and allowing the next player to go.

If the first player doesn't make a bet, then the next player has the same options. Once a player has made a bet, however, other players may no longer pass, and are required to do one of the following:

Fold: And lose one's bet and ante.

Call: Match the other player's bets by placing an equal wager into the pot.

Raise: Place a higher wager than others have bet into the pot. All other players will need to match this raised bet in order to stay in the game.

After a round of betting, all remaining players are then allowed to exchange up to three of their cards with those from the top of the remaining deck in the same order that the cards were dealt. At this time, the players have a second round of betting. After this round, all remaining players show their cards to each other. The player with the highest hand wins the entire pot.

Cards are ranked in the following order, from lowest to highest: 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, Jack,Queen, King, Ace. Below are a table that helps illustrate the ranking. Each level of the table beats all hands below it. For example, even the lowest straight (2,3,4,6) will beat the highest three of a kind (Ace, Ace, Ace, King, Queen),

If two players have the same type of hand, the one with higher cards wins the hand. For example, a player with a 9,9,9, Hack, 2(Three 9s) would beat a player with a 6,6,6,Ace, Queen (three 6s). Extra cards, such as the Ace, Queen, Jack, and 2 in this example, only matter when two players have identical winning combinations. For example, a player with a 9,9,5,5, King (two pair, with a King) would beat a player with a 9,9,5,5, Queen (two pair, with a Queen).

A poker table. Credit image: Elena.

Low-hand Poker

The rules for this game are identical to poker, except for an exciting 180-degree switch. In low-hand poker, it is the player with the lowest (and not the highest) hand who wins. The lowest hand possible is a 2,3,4,5,7, which is known as a “seven-high” hand. There is no such thing as a six-high, because a 2,3,4,5,6 would make a straight. In this game, it is common to see players discarding Aces and pairs of cards to rid themselves of their beasty hand.

High-low Poker

Two players split the pot – the one with the highest hand and the one with the lowest hand. If all but one player folds, then the entire pot goes to the winner.

Five-card Stud

Unlike draw, this game begins by dealing only two cards to each player. One of these cards is face down and one is face up, in plain view of all players at the table. Each player is allowed to look at his or her facedown card, and then a round of betting ensues. Betting starts with the player showing the highest card. After this round, another card is placed face up for each player (so that each player has two cards showing and one hidden card) and there is another round of betting. Again, betting starts with the players showing the highest cards. This pattern continues until each player has five cards. At any time during the game, a player can fold and the person with the highest hand at the end wins.

Seven-card Stud

This is an extremely lively and often high-stakes game. It is played in a similar fashion to five-card stud, except that the game begins by dealing three cards to each player – two are face down and one is face up. Rounds of betting are then interspersed with receiving additional face-up cards until each player has two face-down cards and four face-up cards. At this time, a final card is dealt face down and the final round of betting occurs.

Players can use any of their seven cards to make their best five-card hand. The catch to this game is that the odds are thrown haywire. Having seven cards makes it much easier to achieve good hands. It is common to see full houses, straights, and flushes.

Baseball

Baseball is a popular variation on seven-card stud, which makes the chances of achieving a high hand ridiculously easy. The game has wild cards, ones that can represent any other card in the deck at the player's discretion. In the game, all 3s and 9s (the number of strikes and innings in baseball) are wild. But they come with a price; a player must either purchase 3s and 9s (at a pre-determined price) if they are dealt these cards face up or they must fold the hand. If a player is dealt a 4 face up (the number of balls in baseball), they are immediately dealt another card face down.

Because of the wild cards in baseball, and the possibility of having more than seven cards (if a 4 is dealt), it is common for player to obtain the absurd (five of a kind). For example, a hand of 5,5,5,3,9 would be five 5s. Five of a kind is the highest hand possible, and beats a royal flush.

What Beats What

Royal Flush: The highest straight flush – 10, J, Q, K, A all of the same suit (number - 4, odds of obtaining - 1:649,739)

Straight Flush: A straight, and all five cards are of the same suit (number - 40, odds of obtaining – 1:64,973).

Four of a Kind:  Four cards of the same value with one extra (number – 624, odds of obtaining – 1: 4,164).

Full House: Three cards of one value and two of another. (number – 3,744. Odds of obtaining – 1:693).

Flush: Five cards of the same suit, such as five spades (number – 5,108, odds of obtaining – 1:508).

Straight: Five cards in a sequence of different suits, such as 5-6-7-8-9 (number: 10,200, odds of obtaining – 1:254).

Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same value with two extra (number – 54,912; odds of obtaining – 1:46).

Two pair: Two pairs of cards with one extra (number – 123, 552; 1:20).

One Pair (Two of a kind): Two cards of the same value with three extra (number – 1,098,240. Odds of obtaining – 1:1.37).

High Card: In a hind with no winning combination of cards, the highest card. (Number – 1,302, 540; 1:1).

Protection for Every Occasion

Protection for Every Occasion

Birth Control techniques don't work unless they're used regularly

The following efficacy rates, provided by the U.S. Public Health Service, are yearly estimates based on several studies. Methods that are dependent on conscientious use are subject to a greater chance of human error and reduced effectiveness. Without contraception, some 60 to 85 percent of sexually active women would likely become pregnant within a year.

Male Condom: About 90% effective.

Use: Applied immediately before intercourse; used only once and discarded. Nonprescription.

Risks: Rare irritation and allergic reactions.

STD protection: Latex condoms help protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including herpes and HIV.

Female Condom: 74 to 79 percent effective.

Use: Applied immediately before intercourse; used only once and discarded. Nonprescription.

Risks: Rare irritation and allergic reactions.

STD Protections: May give some protection against sexually transmitted disease, including herpes and HIV; but not as effective as male latex condom.

Spermicides used alone:

Use: Applied no more than ah hour before intercourse. Nonprescription.

Risks: Rare irritation and allergic reactions.

STD Protection: Unknown.

Learn more about birth-control techniques. Photo by Elena

Sponge

72 to 82 percent effective.

Use: Can insert hours before intercourse and be left in place up to 24 hours; used once and discarded. Nonprescription.

Risks: Rare irritation and allergic reactions; difficult removal; very rarely, toxic shock syndrome.

STD Protection: None.

Diaphragm with Spermicide

82 to 94 percent effective.

Use: Inserted before intercourse; can be left in place 24 hours, but additional spermicide must be inserted if intercourse is repeated. Prescription.

Risks: Rare irritation and allergic reactions; bladder infection; very rarely, toxic shock syndrome.

STD Protection: None.

Cervical Cap with spermicide: At least 82 percent effective.

Use: Can remain in place for 48 hours, not necessary to reapply spermicide upon repeated intercourse; may be difficult to insert. Prescription.

Risks: Abnormal Pap test; vaginal or cervical infections; very rarely, toxic shock syndrome. 

STD Protection: None.

Pills: 97 to 99 percent effective. 

Use: Pill must be taken on daily schedule, regardless of the frequency of intercourse. Prescription.

Risks: Blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, gallbladder disease, liver tumors, water retention, hypertension, mood change, nausea; not for smokers.

STD protection: None.

Implant (Norplant): 99 percent effective.

Use: Effective 24 hours after implantation for approximately five years; can be removed by physician at any time. Requires prescription, minor outpatient surgical procedure.

Risks: Menstrual cycle irregularity; headaches, nervousness, depression, nausea and dizziness, change of appetite, breast tenderness, weight gain, enlargement of ovaries and/or fallopian tubes, excessive growth of body hair; may subside after first year.

STD Protection: None.

Injection (Depo-Provera): 99 percent effective.

Use: One injection every three months. Prescription.

Risks: Amenorrhea, weight gain, other side effects similar to Norplant.

STD Protection: None.

IUD: 95 to 96% effective.

Use: After insertion, stays in until physician removes it. Prescription.

Risks: Cramps, bleeding, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility; rarely, perforation of the uterus.

STD Protection: None.

Was it the most glorious of the most monstrous moment when you met his Creative spirit? The German duo Heracut Graffiti at 1135 Dundas Street East, Toronto. Photo by Elena

Periodic Abstinence: 53 to 86 percent effective.

Use: Requires frequent monitoring of the body's functions and periods of abstinence. Instruction from a physician or clinic.

Risks: None.

STD Protection: None.

Surgical sterilization: Over 99 percent effective.

Use: Vasectomy is a one-time procedure usually performed in a doctor's office; tubal ligation is a one-time procedure performed in operating room.

Risks: Pain, infection, and, for female tubal ligation, possible surgical complications.

STD Protection: None.

The Vasectomy Option

Reversing the process is sometimes possible, but you better not count on it.

When it comes to birth control techniques, most of the options belong to women. But when it comes to sterilization, the man takes center stage. That's because vasectomy has long been regarded as both simpler and safer than its female equivalent, tubal ligation. For couple ready to conclude their child-bearing, vasectomy is the better course, say doctors. More than half a million men elect this option each year.

Not that vasectomy carries no worries. Two recent studies have raised the possibility that men with vasectomies may have some higher risk of developing prostate cancer. While the research is considered too preliminary to require revising current medical practice, further investigation of the question is warranted.

In a vasectomy, the tube that carries sperm to the penis is cut. The procedure can be done on an outpatient basis and requires only 15 to 20 minutes. The doctors injects a local anesthetic in the scrotum and around each of the two vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis. After making a small incision in the scrotum, the doctor cuts and closes the tube with ties. After the operation, a man will still produce sperm, but the sperm can't enter the penis. Seminal fluid continues to be produced, nevertheless, and erection and ejaculation still take place.

Post-operative complications are relatively rare, and minor in most cases. They can include bleeding, infection, and the development of painful lumps in the scrotum. Risks can be greatly minimized by having the operation done by a doctor who performs it frequently.

Reversal of a vasectomy is often possible, but success is by no means a certainty. Advances in microsurgery techniques make the chances of successfully reconnecting the vas 98 percent, but even is the vas is reconnected, there is only a 50 to 70 percent chance that the man will be able to fertilize an egg. That's because men who have had vasectomies often form antibodies against their own sperm. The antibodies don't appear to harm the man's health, but they can destroy fertility.

How to Estimate Total Return

How to Estimate Total Return

A simple way to figure out how much money you’re really making

Just following your mutual fund in the newspaper won’t tell you how you’re really doing. To find out a fund’s total return, you need to know not only the fund’s net asset value over a given period of time, but also the distributions per share of dividends and capital gains during that period.

The quickest – and certainly the easiest way to learn your fund’s total return may be to simply ask the fund via its toll-free number or email. Before you can estimate a fund’s one-year return yourself, you need to know three things:

The fund’s net asset value per share a year ago.

Its NAV now.

Distributions per share of dividends and capital gains in the interim.

You should be able to find all this information on your account statement. You can take up distributions per share in different sources.

Here’s how to perform the calculation: As of January 31, year 01, Terminator Fund’s net asset value was $64.67 per share. A year later, its NAV was $73.65. During the year, it distributed $7.25 per share in income and capital gains. Therefore, subtract the beginning NAV from the ending NAV: $73.65 – $64.67 = $8.98.

And add to that all the distributions: $8.98 + $7.25 = $16.23.

How to estimate total return. Photo by Elena

The result gives you the total return in dollars. Now convert this dollar amount to a percentage by dividing the total return by the starting NAV and multiplying by 100.

$16.23 + $64.87 X 100 = 25.1%

Other, more complex, formulas that are figured by computer may produce a slightly different answer, but this estimate is close enough.

Managers Who Really Manage

Many investors wonder whether to ditch their fund or take a chance with a new manager. After all there is no way to test a mutual fund manager’s record, even if rating systems exist which help investors figure out which fund managers stand out and which don’t. Some of these systems correlate funds’ results specifically to their managers. These rankings compare the record of every manager who has been running a fund for at least two years against the records of other funds that invest in the same kind of securities – corporate bond funds or growth funds, for example. The ratings are described as a percentage of total return the manager has achieved above or below other managers in his basket of securities.

Major Economic Theories

Major Economic Theories

Economics is a social science which studies production and distribution of resources. One of the major dilemmas in economics is the reconciliation of unlimited human wants with limited resources. Economics can be normative or factual. Further, economics are subdivided into microeconomics and macroeconomics, and the highly debated in the scholar literature – mesoeconomics.

Microeconomics focuses on individual economic agents such as firms and economic agents, while macroeconomics analyses entire economies. Mesoeconomics is often used as an umbrella term for subjects falling outside clear microeconomic or macroeconomic definitions. For example, microeconomic theory would explain such topics as fixed, variable and mixed costs, while macroeconomic models define GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and the importance of central banks in regulating a country’s economy.

Hotel Atlantis in Bahamas. Photo : ElenaB.

At its inception, economics was very closely related to political science ad was named political economy. Only later has the term economics emerged. Further, finance is a field of economics. Many economists would suggest that economics are all about supply and demand, or the willingness and ability of producers to produce and consumers to consume, respectively. When the quantity produced equals the quantity consumed the market is in equilibrium, thus the term economic or market equilibrium.

The major economic theorists remain Adam Smith and John Maynard Keynes. Adam Smith is considered the founder of economics with his book The Wealth of Nations published in 1776. Classical and neoclassical economists disagree about the interpretation of the publication, however. Classical economists include Adam Smith, Jean-Baptiste Say, David Ricardo, Thomas Malthus and John Stuart Mill. Alternatively, neoclassical economics is an alternative school of thought. Additionally, Keynesian economics or Keynesianism rests on the idea that during recessions (the opposite of expansions) economic output or production is directed by aggregate demand.

Economics: A Brief Definition and Some Facts

As outlined elsewhere, economics is the social science grappling with the problematic of scarcity. How to satisfy an unlimited number of wants with a limited amount of resources? Economic theories aim at resolving this dilemma. Just as psychologists and other scientists of humanities and the social realm, economists come under laborious criticism. Nonetheless, normative economics distances itself from the outlining of objective economic facts.

Further, as shown in this animated video, the study of economics may be subdivided into three categories: macroeconomics, mesoeconomics and microeconomics. For brevity’s sake, and to avoid rehashing the cartoon’s information, the details are omitted from the present short essay.

When quantity (Qs) supplied equals quantity demanded (Qd, the market is in equilibrium (E) at the market price (Pe). Demand (supply) and quantity demanded (supplied) differ in that the former is a curve, and the latter is a point on that curve. When analyzing which forces drive the economy, one often hears economics are all about demand and supply. Image: Copyright © Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

Studies in economics reveal many noteworthy facts, such as that royalty the term used to refer to what musical artists get when their song is played on the radio – royalties – was derived from the past, when monarchs had to be paid for cultivation on their land. Although the transition from nomad hunting to sedentary agriculture proved largely beneficial to civilization’s progress, before the Industrial Revolution (when massive urbanization took place), most peasants and surfs had to subsist on the fruits of their farming and agricultural labor. Part of what they cultivated went as payment to the sovereign who owned the land they lived and planted crops on.


Aside from some exceptions, feudal society is largely gone, and most of today’s economies are so-called mixed market economies. In conclusion, ceteris paribus is a widespread assumption in economics, and stands for ‘all other things being equal” in Latin, often used to signify that all remaining factors except the one of interest are held constant.