Health + Food + Sport

to be prone to obesity

to be likely to become obese in an unhealthy way. Example: Children who spend too much time watching television are more prone to obesity

eating disorders

health problems in which people eat far too much or too little because they are unhappy with their bodies. Example: Advertising can contribute to eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia

safe hygiene standards

a safe level of cleanliness in personal, living, or working areas to prevent illness and disease. Example: Maintaining safe hygiene standards in hospitals is essential to prevent infection

to keep their teeth healthy

to take care of their teeth by cleaning them regularly. Example: Children should brush their teeth several times a day to keep their teeth healthy

to launch a full-scale investigation into something

to start a complete investigation using all available methods, equipment, or resources. Example: Scientists launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the disease outbreak

the outbreak of an epidemic

a sudden occurrence of a large number of disease cases in a particular community. Example: Poor vaccination coverage may lead to the outbreak of an epidemic

sedentary lifestyle

a lifestyle involving little exercise or physical activity. Example: A sedentary lifestyle is a major factor in obesity and heart disease

healthy eating habits

the habit of eating healthy food at regular times. Example: Health education should teach children healthy eating habits

to take regular exercise

to do physical activity on a regular basis. Example: Local authorities should encourage people to take regular exercise

a fitness regime

a regular plan or routine of physical exercise. Example: Elderly people can adopt a light fitness regime such as walking or jogging

health awareness campaigns

public campaigns that encourage people to care about and look after their health. Example: Health awareness campaigns can help people understand the risks of smoking

preventive medicine

healthcare practices intended to prevent illness before it occurs. Example: Preventive medicine can reduce the need for expensive medical treatment

alternative healthcare

healthcare that uses traditional or non-mainstream methods rather than surgery or pharmaceutical drugs. Example: Naturopathy is a form of alternative healthcare

public health services

government-funded services that protect and promote the health of the population. Example: Funding for public health services should be a priority for governments

to take out private health insurance

to make regular payments to an insurance company that will pay for medical treatment when needed. Example: In countries with weak public health services, many people take out private health insurance

primary health care

the first medical treatment people receive when they are sick, usually from a doctor or local clinic. Example: Developing countries should invest in primary health care clinics

medical practitioner

a person who works as a doctor or surgeon. Example: More medical practitioners are needed to improve public health

to build up one’s immune system/immunity

to increase the body’s ability to fight disease. Example: A healthy diet can help build up one’s immune system

mental health problems

illnesses or difficulties related to the mind, such as anxiety or depression. Example: Overwork may result in mental health problems

to offer emotional support

to provide counselling or help to someone who is experiencing emotional or mental difficulties. Example: Schools should offer emotional support to pupils who are victims of bullying

to be addicted to something

to be unable to stop using or doing something harmful. Example: More clinics are needed to help people who are addicted to drugs

to search for a cure

to look for a way to make a sick person healthy again. Example: Governments should fund doctors to search for a cure for serious diseases

life-threatening conditions

illnesses that are likely to kill someone. Example: Medical science has improved the treatment of life-threatening conditions such as cancer

to carry health risks

to have effects that could be harmful to health. Example: Smoking and drinking alcohol carry serious health risks

prescription charges

money paid by patients for medicines prescribed by a doctor. Example: Some governments have abolished prescription charges for elderly people

operating theatre

a room in a hospital where surgery is performed. Example: Safe hygiene standards are particularly important in an operating theatre

the pharmaceutical industry

the industry that produces drugs and medicines. Example: The pharmaceutical industry should be strictly regulated by governments

a degenerative illness

an illness that becomes worse over time. Example: Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative illness

to be detrimental to health

to be harmful to health. Example: Lying in the sun for too long can be detrimental to health

to have a regular check-up

to have a regular medical or dental examination. Example: People should have a regular check-up to detect health problems

to stem from

to come or derive from, often used for negative things. Example: A lot of delinquency these days stems from the use of drugs or alcohol

sedentary lifestyle

a lifestyle in which people sit for long periods and are generally inactive. Example: Since I started working as an architect, my lifestyle has become mostly sedentary

obesity

the medical condition of being seriously overweight. Example: In some countries, obesity is a major cause of death among young adults

inadequate development

insufficient or obstructed growth of the body. Example: If children smoke, this can cause inadequate development of their lungs and brains

strain

physical or mental stress or overwork. Example: I had to take a vacation due to the strain of working such long hours

symptoms

signs that a medical problem is present. Example: A sore throat and headache are symptoms of a cold or flu

impairment/to impair

damage to an ability

poor diet

a diet without sufficient nutrients. Example: Malnutrition can result from a poor diet and lack of medical care

convenience food

food that is prepared quickly and easily, often cooked in its packaging. Example: British and American people eat a large amount of convenience food

addiction

the state of being unable to live without something. Example: Many young people suffer from addiction to social media or the Internet

to socialise

to meet with friends and other people in a friendly way. Example: At weekends, I like to socialise at parties and in cafés

interpersonal skills

the skills needed to deal with people successfully. Example: Managers need strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with their teams

to underperform

to perform below expectations or below the level of your peers. Example: My football team is underperforming badly this year

active lifestyle

a lifestyle with regular exercise and physical activity. Example: The government tries to promote an active lifestyle

a regime / a programme

a planned system of exercise, diet, or sport. Example: I adopted a vegetarian regime for three months before my exams

to detoxify your body

to remove impurities or poisons from the body. Example: Some people try to detoxify their body after eating too much unhealthy food

sponsorship

payment from a company to a sport or activity in return for publicity. Example: Motor racing is often supported by sponsorship from energy drink brands

participation / to participate

the act of joining and taking part in something. Example: Participation in sports can improve both physical and mental health

competitive

wanting to win or do better than others. Example: Canadians are very competitive about ice hockey teams

to ameliorate the physical effects

to make the physical effects of a problem less damaging. Example: The effects of his injury were ameliorated by extensive physiotherapy

remedies

cures or answers to a problem or situation. Example: There are many remedies for cold and flu available in pharmacies

an initiative

a new programme or idea, usually in government or business. Example: We need initiatives to tackle obesity and anti-social behaviour

raise awareness

to make people more aware of or concerned about an issue. Example: We organised a marathon to raise awareness of heart disease

health warnings

notices on cigarette or alcohol packaging warning about medical effects. Example: Almost all countries have health warnings on tobacco products

champions

highly successful people in sport or business. Example: Roger Federer is a champion tennis player and a good role model

figureheads

people who represent part of society, officially or unofficially. Example: The singer Adele is a figurehead for many young women

dependency

the condition of relying on something in an addictive way. Example: The player was treated for drug dependency at a detox clinic

pursuits

hobbies or sports that people do for enjoyment. Example: Skiing and cycling are my main pursuits at weekends

the immune system

the system in your body that produces substances to help it fight infection and disease. Example: A diet lacking in vitamins and minerals can weaken a person’s immune system

a chemical preservative

a chemical substance used to prevent food from deteriorating. Example: The juice contains no chemical preservatives, so it should be consumed within two or three days

artificial colouring and flavouring

colours or flavours added to food to make it look more attractive or taste stronger. Example: Artificial colouring and flavouring are often used in processed food

food labelling

the listing of ingredients on food packets or cans. Example: Food labelling should be clear so that consumers can make informed choices

food processing

the treatment of food to make it ready for sale. Example: The growth of food processing means that much of the food we eat is no longer fresh

shelf life

the length of time that food can be kept before it is too old to be sold. Example: Supermarkets throw away food when its shelf life has expired

a food retailer

a business that sells food to the public. Example: Local food retailers have disappeared from many neighbourhoods because of supermarket expansion

organic food

food produced without artificial chemicals. Example: Many people believe that organic food is healthier and better for the environment

genetically modified food

food made from plants that have been genetically changed to improve production or resistance to disease. Example: There is growing concern about the environmental effects of genetically modified food

free-range eggs/meat/products

products from animals kept in natural conditions and able to move around freely. Example: Many consumers buy free-range products because they oppose factory farming

food poisoning

a stomach illness caused by eating food containing harmful bacteria. Example: Regular inspections can help prevent cases of food poisoning

fast food chains

groups of restaurants owned by the same company and serving fast food. Example: Healthy eating often means avoiding fast food chains

junk food

food that is quick and easy to eat but is considered bad for health. Example: Eating too much junk food can contribute to childhood obesity

a lack of calories to meet energy needs

not having enough calories in the diet to provide the energy a person uses. Example: A poorly planned vegetarian diet may lead to a lack of calories to meet energy needs

home-made food

food prepared at home using individual ingredients. Example: Preparing home-made food is often part of a healthy lifestyle

to have a snack

to eat a small amount of food between main meals. Example: Having a snack between meals can become unhealthy if it involves sugary food

to eat a balanced diet

to eat the correct types and amounts of food. Example: Eating a balanced diet has clear health benefits

a vegetarian diet

a diet with no meat or fish. Example: Some people follow a vegetarian diet for ethical or environmental reasons

a vegan diet

a diet without any animal products, such as meat, milk, or eggs. Example: Many animal rights activists follow a vegan diet

to go on a diet

to eat less or only certain types of food in order to lose weight. Example: Many people go on a diet after gaining weight

to follow a recipe

to cook a meal using instructions. Example: Following a recipe can help beginners learn how to cook

Chinese cuisine

a traditional style of food from China. Example: Chinese cuisine is an important part of the country’s culture

a diet rich in something

a diet that contains a lot of something. Example: A diet rich in fibre can help people stay healthy

a diet low in something

a diet that contains very little of something. Example: People should eat a diet low in fat and sugar to prevent obesity

a low-calorie diet

a diet that does not produce a lot of energy when eaten. Example: Overweight people may be advised to follow a low-calorie diet

to count calories

to monitor the calories in food and drink in order to control weight. Example: Some people count calories carefully when trying to lose weight

to provide somebody with a healthier diet

to give someone a diet that is healthier than their current one. Example: Eating more fresh fruit and vegetables can provide people with a healthier diet

to put on weight

to become fatter and heavier. Example: People who want to avoid putting on weight should limit fatty and sugary foods

a slimming club

a group of people who join together to try to lose weight. Example: A slimming club can help people who lack motivation

low in fat and high in fibre

containing little fat but a lot of fibre. Example: A healthy vegetarian diet is often low in fat and high in fibr

a substantial meal

a large, filling, and nutritious meal. Example: After the marathon, we enjoyed a substantial meal to regain our energy

ease the pain

to reduce or relieve pain or suffering. Example: The doctor prescribed medication to ease the pain after surger