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It seems the London Olympics is already plagued by controversy and the torch hasn’t even arrived yet. From team selections, allegations of stalking to sleeping arrangements but the issue seemly most talked about is the usage and subsequent effects of Stilnox. Past and present Olympians have come forward to have their say – but what’s it all about? What is Stilnox? Should its usage be allowed? What about the wider community?

What is Stilnox used for?
Stilnox is a medication used to treat insomnia and has been used by athletes to ensure that get adequate sleep in the lead up to an event particularly after long haul flights. While determined by Sanofi, the drug company selling the selling tablet, as still remaining to be safe for the short term treatment of insomnia the effects on some users is downright frightening.

Use of Stilnox by athletes
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has said ‘used properly this is a medicine of value to some patients, particularly with severe insomnia, and should not be taken off the market’. So why did the Australian Olympic Committee move to ban the drug from being used by athletes in London if it’s safe and why are there now calls for Stilnox to be banned by the International Olympic Committee?
For the well-being of elite athletes particularly upon revelations that athletes are combining the drug with the consumption of caffeine and other energy drinks.

So while Stilnox is a no go for Olympic athletes it is still widely available to the general public despite a warning issued to the medical profession last month.

Risks of taking Stilnox?
According to the warning the TGA stated that Stilnox “may be associated with potentially dangerous complex sleep-related behaviours which may include sleep walking, sleep driving and other bizarre behaviours”. Stilnox has also been linked to suicide and severe hallucination.

Statistics of Stilnox
While the government admits to not knowing exactly how many Australians routinely use Stilnox, since is it not funded by Medicare, and Sanofi refuse to release sales figures, it is estimated that approximately half a million people used a variety of subsidised hypnotics and sedatives between 2010 and 2011.

Advice from Stilnox user, Grant Hackett
Considering the ban by the Australian Olympic Committee; comments of Olympic swimmer Grant Hackett, who used Stilnox during his sporting career, labelling the drug as ‘evil’ and ‘scary’ and recent warnings to the medical profession perhaps it is time for the government to take a closer look at the potential side effects of the drug on the wider community particularly in the long term.

We have all heard the old adage ‘You are what you eat’ but, have you considered ‘You are where you live’?

In the rush to develop and build housing, poor urban design is influencing obesity rates in the outer suburbs. Poor infrastructure, limited public transport, parks and green spaces and medical services are all impacting on the health of residents. New estates are developed with the latest connectivity yet with limited parks for safe exercise, outdoor play and relaxation. These issues have led to a state government enquiry regarding the fact that health considerations should be included in urban planning. Stuart Worn, the head of the Planning Institute of Victoria stated that ‘health should be the first consideration in new housing developments’.

For an example – The Shire of Wyndham, located on Melbourne’s outskirts, has a higher rate of obesity and diabetes than areas located closer to the CBD. The residents have a higher level of car ownership and reliance on cars as the primary mode of transportation. Why? Urban planning and development in the Shire has resulted in no service being located within walking distance and limited close medical facilities and parks. And this lack of public transport and human powered mobility – cycling or walking – is coupled with an increased concentration of liquor outlets and fast food operations – a recipe for a long term health disaster.

While new developments are hailed as ‘affordable’ housing, the long term ramifications will greatly outweigh the initial saving – ‘Building car-dependent suburbs in the name of cheap housing is a false economy that will create massive health and economic liabilities’, says Dr Margaret Beavis, a Melbourne GP currently undertaking a master’s degree in public health and who spoke at the government enquiry. Dr Beavis went on to state that ‘when it comes to urban planning we are building suburbs that in 20 years will be ghettos of ill health’.

Carolyn Whitzman, of Melbourne University, has renewed calls for the encouragement of medium-density developments – developments which have services such as schools, child care centres, shops and community facilities all within easy walking distance.

With the Victorian Government increasing urban boundaries by 43600 hectares, the time to act is now, at the planning stage, to ensure that the new residents are easily equipped to stave off obesity and its related diseases and health issues.

Residents of outer suburban estates need local access to:
• Reliable public transport to reduce reliance on private cars;
• Adequate footpaths and lighting to encourage walking and exercise;
• Bike paths/lanes to encourage cycling;
• Increased access to local facilities such as schools, medical services, and community facilities;
• Community green spaces to encourage outdoor play and exercise;
• Limitations on liquor and fast food outlets.

The planning phase is a great opportunity for various levels of government and communities to implement measures for future residents to help themselves maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

There were a large group of youths in the park while I was conducting our regular boot camp class at Edinburgh gardens on Tuesday night.

We were doing a drill followed by a sprint and an intense 60 second burst of boxing. While the Fitmates were performing shuttle runs to the end cone marker and back, one extremely inebriated member of the group decided to join in.

There was a feeling of danger, not knowing how this kid would react or whether the group of youths would wish to take offense to such a discussion. Fortunately he understood that I was just trying to conduct a fitness class and he responded with “I just want to get off the drugs and get fit man”.

Kelly, the Fitmate I was partnering with sent through an email recalling this incident.

It’s a sad reflection of our society when teenagers today are not only drinking alcohol to such intoxicating levels that it not only creates a risk to their health but to innocent  bystanders within their vicinity.

Judging by his reaction, such activities seemed to be a regular occurrence.

Stiletto heels first became popular in the 1930s, but were usually only worn for special occasions. Fast-forward to now and 1 in 10 women wear high heels at least 3 days per week.

Why do women do it? Mostly because heels make them appear taller, accentuate their calves, lengthen the appearance of their legs, and cause them to gently sway their hips as they walk.  Basically, high heels give them added confidence.

But at what cost? Results suggest that a third of women suffer permanent physical problems as a result of prolonged high heel wearing. And the higher the heel, the greater the risk.

Wearing high heels increases pressure on the ball of the foot, which can lead to degeneration of the spine, back and neck.

“High heels make you raise your heel and as soon as you do that your centre of gravity is pushed forward,” explains UK Consultant Podiatric Surgeon, Mike O’Neill.

“What happens then is you bend your lower back to compensate for this and that changes the position of your spine, putting pressure on nerves in the back,” he adds.

Irreversible damage can be done to the Achilles tendon, which runs up the back of your leg. This tendon is meant to be flexible so that your foot can be flat or pointed. But extended use of high heels points the heel upwards, shortening the tendon.

And that leads to permanent excruciating pain when trying to stretch that tendon.

Frequent wearing of high heels can also cause Sciatica, a condition that triggers pain and numbness as far down as your feet by trapping nerves.

And then there’s the risk of falling off your heels. A British survey found that one third of respondents had suffered an injury as a result of falling off their heels. Injuries ranged from damage to ankles, knees, hips and head.

Particular attention should be given to how young women begin to wear heels. Studies now show that girls who start wearing heels on a regular basis in their teens (ie. before their bodies are fully grown), suffer back and hip problems due to strain on their developing spines.

So, you love your heels, but is there a safer way? Yes, if you follow these tips:

1. Limit the height of the heel to 3.75cm. Definitely never go over 7.5cm high.

2. Limit the amount of time  you wear heels by taking a pair of comfy shoes (think ballet flats) with you to wear to and from an event.

3. Don’t wear heels more than one or two days a week.

4. Rather than a literal ‘killer’ stiletto heel, choose a wider heel that will distribute your weight more evenly.

5. Whenever you get the chance, take a seat, slip off your heels and stretch your foot muscles by flexing and pointing.

A recent study reveals the correlation between overweight/obese parents and the incidence of childhood obesity.

A study published in the international “Journal of Obesity” based at the University of Queensland found a strong link between a parent’s BMI (Body Mass Index) and his/her child’s BMI.

While the study didn’t conclude whether fathers or mothers had more impact on their children’s weight problems, it did discover that a mother with a BMI in the healthy weight range combined with an overweight or obese father  resulted in a significantly higher rate of children (age between 8 – 9 years old) being overweight or obese.

The study done by Dr Emily Freeman found this may be the result of fathers who are poor role models when it comes to exercise and dietary habits.

While the issue of childhood obesity is a complicated one, other studies have revealed that – by their teenage years – an overweight or obese child will set his or her body’s blueprint for life.

This means that if a person tries to lose weight later in life, they will be subjected to a yoyo style of weight gain and loss as the body seeks to reach its original position of equilibrium.

No matter what studies are undertaken, it’s imperative for the future health of our children that this global epidemic is given more attention.