What Is Fatima's Situation?

Analysis:

The term “processed foods” is calculated to emote a learned response and bias against favor for these food products; and are sometimes considered comparable with the terms: artificial, preservative, additive, saturated and unsaturated fat(s), salt, alcohol, caffeine, gmo, and sugar. Interestingly, as the human population approaches 8 billion souls the effective processing and storage of healthful foods is critical to avoid widespread famine, related outbreaks of rampant nutrition based disease, and possible related degradation of civil society (1). We have to ask ourselves: (a) What are the facts about Fatima’s situation? And, (b) Does Fatima have basic coping skills and education to overcome her difficulties? Let’s look at the objective considerations of the assignment:

· She works 50-hour weeks to support and care for her family.

This actually seems to be a fairly light workload for the average adult. Presuming she works 40 hours at a job, only 10 additional hours are required devoted to care for her family and herself (assuming Fatima is included in the group term, family). Of course, based on the assignment Fatima may work at employment only part time; leaving more of the balance of hours to family care. There are 168 hours in a week. If Fatima sleeps 8 hours a night 7 days a week, that is another 56 hours. With her 50 hours for family care and work, Fatima should still have 52 uncommitted hours remaining for leisure each week.

· Fatima…often cannot afford fresh fruits and vegetables for their dinner. This statement contains a bias for “fresh” fruits and vegetables over all other forms of nutrition. While these particular foods are widely considered “wholesome,” any needed dietary components are still readily available. Vitamin C is perhaps the most commonly used component that has long been available through supplements because of its efficacy against

scurvy.

· Fatima has…fatigue and occasional chest pain. These symptoms may be indicative of mild angina due to atherosclerosis. Plaque buildup in arteries will restrict blood flow to and from the heart with this condition. Starting a treatment of daily low dose aspirin and eating a bowl of whole oats once a day may very well cause these symptoms to disappear; or even reverse this condition

· Fatima has long suffered…but cannot afford to go to the doctor. Fatima may just as easily have a congenital heart defect, or some other form of coronary affective disease. Fatima does need to speak with a doctor about these symptoms to determine their cause and advice for treatment. In the US, Fatima does need to apply for Medicaid. She would do so in Florida, at: www.floridahealthfinder.gov/medicaid/florida-medicaid-general.aspx (2). Fatima will likely be prescribed common medication(s) and advised to make certain dietary changes.