Consequences of dietary imbalance

Categories The effects of diet related diseases can categorised into two areas; Direct coasts can be easily measured eg how much money something costs. Indirect costs are harder to measure but have just as big an impact, like the quality of an affected persons life.

Who is affected Effects of disease can be divided into two areas; Individual, and Community

INDIVIDUAL COSTS DIRECT Medical care - you will have to pay to get treated in hospital. Pharmaceutical care – Most diet related conditions are chronic and ongoing, which means the affected person will have to be on medication for a long period of time, which will cost money. Travel costs – to get to treatment. Loss of income – Cannot work while being treated, or may have to work less hours due to being injured.

INDIRECT Pain and suffering – Diseases dont generally feel very nice! Reduced work effectiveness - Not being able to do your job properly, or contribute to your family or community can make you stressed, depressed feel unworthy and lower your self image. Death.

COMMUNITY COSTS DIRECT Healthcare – In Australia, the Government often pays for your treatment when you are sick. A good deal, but annoying for taxpayers when people are in hospital for expensive treatment for condition that are avoidable eg kidney dialysis because of excess alcohol consumption. Pharmaceuticals - The government helps pay for drugs that we buy at the chemist. Lost Productivity - Someone else has to do your job – less people contributing to overall economy and more people taking from it. Cost of prevention strategies – As disease rates increase, government is forced to spend money on campaigns and strategies to reduce the incidence of the disease – that money has to come from somewhere.

INDIRECT Unpaid Care - family members, friends, community members take time out of their day to help. Loss of productivity - You may not be able to work as hard or well, which makes workmates have to work harder. More work and/or stress to replace you or make up while you are away. Loss of individual - if a person dies there are significant emotional impacts on the people who know them.