Chronic Diseases Do Affect Youth
慢性病之手已伸向年轻人
王淑怡 供稿
It may seem odd to put “youth” and “chronic diseases” in the same category. Worldwide, not a significant number of young people currently suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and lung disease, so why worry?
把“年轻人”和“慢性病”两个词联系在一起，可能会有些奇怪。在世界范围内，并没有特别多年轻人罹患糖尿病、心脏病、中风、癌症和肺病等慢性病，那么，我们为什么要担心呢？
The World Health Organization has made the answer abundantly clear. There is a global epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). And the four primary risk factors for these chronic diseases—tobacco, alcohol, lack of exercise, and poor nutrition—are typically initiated during adolescence or young adulthood, setting the stage for later disease.
世界卫生组织清楚地给出了答案。非传染性疾病（NCD）正在全球范围内流行。这些慢性病通常由四个主要风险因素引起，即吸烟、饮酒、缺乏锻炼和营养不良。这些不良习惯通常始于青春期或成年早期，为以后的各种疾病埋下了病根。
Excessive smoking and alcohol
过度吸烟和饮酒
The younger an individual starts smoking and drinking, the greater the risk of addiction and chronic disease later in life. You can't always prevent high blood pressure, but giving up smoking and moderating your alcohol consumption can help.
一个人越早开始吸烟和饮酒，就越可能在以后的生活中成瘾和患上慢性病。虽然我们无法预防高血压，但是戒烟和控制饮酒可以减小高血压发生的概率。
Lack of exercise
缺乏锻炼
In recent years, young people are also living a more sedentary lifestyle due to the increasingly convenient transportation system and the widespread use of electronic devices. More than 80% of global teens don't get at least one hour of daily exercise, according to a UN health agency study.
近年来，随着交通运输系统的日益发达和电子设备的广泛使用，久坐不动已经成为了越来越多年轻人的生活方式。根据联合国卫生机构的一项研究，全球80%以上的青少年没有达到每天至少1小时的运动量。
Poor nutrition
营养不良
Excess intake of foods high in sugar and oil, as well as insufficient consumption of vegetables, fruits and soybean products are blamed for the unbalanced diet of young people.
对高糖、高油食物摄入过多，对蔬菜、水果和大豆制品摄入不足，导致许多年轻人的饮食习惯严重失衡。
Overwork
超负荷工作
What’s more, overwork is another factor. High stress and overwork have become accepted as a modern way of working. The problem though, is that overwork doesn't work and it's killing people. Many young people have the habit of staying up late, and some have to work overtime. As a result, they are unknowingly worn out. Our heart is beating all the time, but if we do not pay attention to rest and ensure adequate sleep time, the heart will be affected and eventually stop working. You have, if you're getting six hours of sleep or less, a 200% increased risk of having a fatal heart attack, or stroke in your lifetime.
除此之外，超负荷工作也是一大因素。高压和超负荷工作似乎已成现代人的工作方式。但问题在于，超负荷工作不是长久之计，它正在损害人们的身体健康。现在很多年轻人都有熬夜的习惯，或者一些人要经常加班工作，结果，身体在不知不觉间就被透支了。要知道，虽然我们的心脏24小时都在跳动，但如果我们不注意休息，无法保证充足的睡眠时间，心脏也会受到影响，最终停止工作。如果你的睡眠时间小于或等于6小时，罹患致命性心脏病或中风的风险将增加200%。
However, the mounting burden of disease can be effectively contained if concerted efforts are devoted to changing these popular unhealthy habits. Health advocacy campaigns should also be rolled out to guide the public to adopt healthier eating habits and to work out more frequently.
不过，如果能够多施并举，改变这些不健康的生活习惯，这些疾病就可以得到有效控制。此外，还应开展健康宣传活动，引导公众养成更健康的饮食习惯，积极锻炼身体。
【VOCABULARY】
1. chronic disease 慢性病
2. non-communicable disease (NCD) 非传染性疾病
3. intake n. （食物、饮料等的）摄取量
4. sedentary adj. 惯于久坐不动的
5. overwork n. 劳累过度；超负荷工作
6. work out 锻炼身体
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