IELTS Essay Topic #11 Health

Diet

  • The human body requires a balanced diet
  • An unhealthy diet can cause various health problems
  • Obesity, diabetes and heart disease are on the increase
  • Many people nowadays rely on fast food or pre-prepared meals
  • These foods often contain too much fat, salt and sugar
  • They are cheap to buy and very easy to prepare
  • Many young people have grown up on a diet of convenience foods
  • Populations in developed countries are increasingly overweight

Exercise

  • Regular exercise is essential in maintaining a healthy body
  • Exercise burns calories and helps to build healthy bones and muscles
  • Doctors advise exercising at least three times a week for 20 minutes
  • Most people nowadays lead a sedentary lifestyle
  • We tend to walk less and do desk jobs
  • Most adults relax by watching television
  • Children play video games rather than doing outdoor sports
  • In the past, people were more active in their jobs and at home

Government’s Role

  • Governments have a significant role to play in reducing obesity
  • More and more people, including young children are seriously overweight
  • They are at risk of heart disease and diabetes
  • This situation will increase the burden on hospitals and taxpayers
  • Hospitals rely on the government for money and resources
  • Governments should promote a healthy diet and regular exercise
  • There should be more time for sports on school timetables
  • Unhealthy junk food should be banned from school menus
  • People need information about what foods contain
  • Food packaging must show the food’s nutritional content
  • The government should recommend eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day

State Health System: Advantages

  • Good healthcare should be available to everyone for free
  • State healthcare is paid by the government using money from taxes
  • Everyone has access to the same quality of care and treatment
  • Private healthcare is unfair because only wealthy people can afford it
  • The National Health Service in the UK provides free healthcare for every resident

Private Healthcare: Advantages

  • State hospitals are often very large and difficult to run
  • Private hospitals have shorter waiting lists for operations and appointments
  • Patients can benefit from faster treatment
  • Many people prefer to pay for a personal service
  • Patients have their own room and more comfortable facilities

Alternative Medicine: Positives

  • People are increasingly using alternative medicines to treat illnesses
  • For example, acupuncture can be used to treat backache
  • Herbal medicines can be used to treat allergies or viruses
  • Many patients report positive experiences with these treatments
  • Some traditional cures have been used for hundreds of years

Alternative Medicine: Negatives

  • Many alternative medicines have not been tested scientifically
  • They may have no beneficial effect at all
  • They may cause unknown side effects
  • People should trust the opinions of qualified doctors
  • An illness could get worse without treatment from a doctor

Stress

  • Modern lifestyles are increasingly stressful
  • People work long hours with strict deadlines
  • Our busy lifestyles mean we have less time to relax
  • Unemployment is a major cause of stress
  • Children may be affected by their parents’ relationship problems
  • Tests and exams can also cause stress

How to Reduce Stress

  • Stress can be reduced by taking regular exercise and eating a healthy diet
  • It is also important to get sufficient sleep and make leisure time a priority
  • People should work less overtime and take regular holidays
  • Schools have started to employ psychologists
  • They can offer emotional support to students
  • They can help students to cope with exam stress