Cholesterol Education Month

Phillip McField

Staff Writer

    It’s that time of year again, people. The time when many set up an appointment for a lipid profile and modify their lifestyle in order to curb their LDL levels. The time when a juicy burger is substituted for an organic salad, and time to dust off the ole treadmill. No, this is not about New Year’s resolutions; this is about Cholesterol Education Month.

    Every September, health professionals bring the dangers of poor dieting into the light with a whole month dedicated to teaching people about cholesterol. Medicines, exercising plans and other recommendations are posted on various sources to raise awareness.

    The condition known globally as high cholesterol is an epidemic in the United States. Over 102 million American adults are living with this and only one-third of them actually get treatment. If left unchecked, high cholesterol can lead to a multitude of health problems like Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

    Unfortunately, high cholesterol is not limited to adults. Children that suffer from obesity, diabetes, or any sort of exposure to tobacco are at risk for this condition. Teens and young adults should also get screened every five years for preventive measures.

    Despite the common belief that cholesterol is harmful in general, that is simply not the case. There are two types of cholesterol found in the body: HDL (High-density lipoprotein) and LDL (Low-density lipoprotein). HDL is the good one, providing cells with nutrients to keep them alive while its evil twin LDL blocks arteries with plaque while cackling and twirling its moustache.

    Having an artery clogged is only a small danger when it comes to having high levels of LDL. If a piece of plaque were to break off, it would be carried throughout the bloodstream until it would get stuck, and as a result, a stroke or heart attack can occur.

    Although it is best to keep a low LDL level, the ideal levels differ depending on a person’s susceptibility to heart disease. 130 mg/dL is the recommended target for the average American, but an individual that is at risk for heart disease should keep their levels below 100 mg/dL, while an individual at very high risk must keep their levels below 70 mg/dL.

    Another danger of having high cholesterol is its lack of symptoms—you could have it right now and never truly know it. Because of this, health professionals advise patients to get a lipid profile (or a screening), especially if cholesterol problems are hereditary.

    Thankfully, there are four different ways to fend off this condition:

    1. Engaging in at least thirty minutes of physical activity a day can help keep cholesterol from rising. Preferred exercises are walking, jogging, biking and even gardening.

    2. Keeping a healthy weight is a must. Being overweight or obese increases the amount of LDL in the blood.

    3. Abstain from smoking, or quit as soon as possible. Cigarette smoke lowers HDL levels, increasing the chances of blood clots forming and damaging blood vessels.

    4. Avoiding non-fatty foods is also a good strategy. Lean cuts of meat, oatmeal, fish and raw nuts are but a few healthy choices. Studies also show that consuming the chemical known as “flavonoids,” found in dark chocolate and red wine, lowers LDL levels (just keep the term “moderation” in mind).

    For some, high cholesterol is an easy thing to manage, but for others it can be difficult. So hopefully this information can help those who are struggling to live a healthier lifestyle.

Online Dating: Are these People Fact or Fiction?

Ashley Lokken
Central Campus Bureau Chief

    With technology growing rapidly every year, more and more people in society are participating in online relationships. New apps such as Tinder, Badoo, and Hot Or Not (just to name a few) make it exceptionally simple for people to intermingle. Some may say it is “easier” to meet people online then it is to meet them in-person, but the real question is whom exactly are you talking to? On the Internet, anybody can be anybody.

    I believe seeing someone in person carries more value. There, you witness their personality traits, habits, facial expressions etc. You can’t decipher those aspects as easily on the Internet. On the other hand, I do know some people that have met on the Internet and are still together after years. I am not implying all online relationships have a destructive outcome; instead, I am informing about negative events that can happen when meeting someone on the Internet, that way one is able to take certain precautions. According to the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, “only one in three people will report sexual crimes to a trusted adult.”

    I have come to a conclusion of what makes online dating so appealing and it’s the fact that one is able to get to know the person from the inside out, without seeing and judging the person’s appearance first. Numerous young people suffer from image distortion, causing them to be unconfident about the way they look. Online dating gives people a sense of comfort and security because of this.

    However, some people take that aspect to the extreme. If you have watched MTV’s hit television show “Catfish,” you would see that some people are so insecure, they actually change their appearance to make someone like them more. This is not difficult to do on the Internet; all it takes is to upload someone else’s picture that may appear to be “more attractive” and use it as their own picture. Simple as that. Despite its simplicity, this can be tremendously dangerous. Sex offenders can use this method to make themselves look younger and more attractive to invite young women or men in. You may think to yourself, “how could anyone be so gullible to fall for this?” The fact is, there are some very ‘gullible’ people out there looking to be loved.

    However, some people on the show “Catfish” do get lucky and the person they thought they were talking to turns out to be exactly that person. But the majority of people on the show end up talking to someone completely opposite of whom they expected.

    A few ways you can determine if the person is authentic is by asking them to Skype or use some sort of webcam program. If they make up excuses such as, “I don’t have a webcam,” or, “sorry I’m always so busy; I have no time to video chat,” chances are there is something sketchy going on with them. Another way to determine if the person is a fraud is if they ask you for favors such as sending them money or asking you to do strange tasks. Also, if you ask them to meet up and they have an excuse every time, you should be wary. These circumstances should bring up a red flag in your logic.

    If the person does agree to meet up, it is vital to remember to take someone with you or meet in a crowded place where you are visible for everyone to see, just incase. Young people are kidnapped all the time because they forget about these important precautions. According to a 2008 report by the Rochester Institute for Technology, “14 percent [of students in the 10th-12th grade] have accepted an invitation to meet an online stranger.”

    Another study from the Journal of Adolescent Health shows that the majority of Internet-initiated sex crimes against minors are initiated in chat rooms. “In 82% of online sex crimes against minors, the offender used the victim’s social networking site to gain information about the victim’s likes and dislikes.”

    There are actual, legitimate statistics showing that meeting people online can be unsafe. Therefore, forming online relationships is a risky endeavor, and it is extremely important to take the precautions listed above. Internet dating may be comfortable, but I would warn to not become too contented. As a society we need to be more aware of our youth and not hesitate to report something that doesn't seem right.

How To Turn A Party From Nay To Yay

Damian Gordon
South Bureau Chief

    If you’re always talking about how much better you can throw a party, prove it with these tips to help turn your shindig into an event the Great Gatsby himself would be proud of.

    1) Invite Your Guests for Different Times
    We all have that friend, that if you say an event is happening at 3 p.m., they won’t show up till 6 p.m., the next week. Tell your guests to show up at different times, depending on who they are.

    This will have a steady stream of new people arriving, as well as keeping new energy coming into the party.

    2) Invest in Garbage Bags
    The party was great. Everyone left with a smile on their face, except for that guy passed out on your lawn until the sprinklers come on in the morning. Then you remember the mess and turn around to see Hurricane Katrina just passed through your place.

    Putting multiple garbage disposal areas at a party leaves less of a mess afterwards. It’s why theme parks put trash cans every two feet, because many people become lazy at the third foot.

    If you can’t get a lot of trash cans or bags, then strategically place them at hotspots where people will definitely be.

    3) Control Where the Party Is
    Contingent on what kind of gathering is being thrown, the location where everyone will be is crucial. If it’s small and intimate, people roaming around shouldn’t be a problem.

    If it’s big, to the point where it spills outside, hopefully you have enough space to accommodate. Having the party outside could be better for the fact that there’s more breathing room.

    4) Move Breakables Away
    Anything that can be broken into pieces, that aren’t Legos, needs to be moved to another area like your room. Because even if there is no alcohol at your event, it’s safe to bet there will be clumsy people.

    Again, this applies more to the larger events with crowds of people; smaller gatherings tend to give fewer problems in this area.

    5) Know Your Guests
    Let’s start with the smaller parties; inviting the right people can make or break the good vibes. If you’re going to invite Cindy and you know she’ll start something with Sarah and company, maybe let her sit this one out.

    For the bigger open house events, whoever you invited is probably bringing a thousand people with them each. Ever see that guy who causes ladies to clutch their purses closer to themselves on elevators? He’s going to be there too.

    6) Know How Much/What You Have To Spend
    To know who’s going is as simple as just asking everyone to text you who they invited, or put a cap on how many people they can bring. Someone could say they’re coming last week, but it’s good to check one last time before you shop.

    7) BYOS
    Bring Your Own Stuff (thought I was going to say !&?@#! huh?). This means if you know somebody with a better sound system or more chairs, have them bring it!

    This saves money and time you might not have, and letting the guest bring what they want, will only make the party that much better.

    8) Know Your Neighbors
    If you have a good rapport with the neighbors, they will be more inclined to deal with the noise and congested street full of cars. This means the cops are less likely to show up at your door and whatever is going on inside, will stay there.

    9) Food
    When throwing a party where a big part of it is the food, a smart thing to do is to start everything in advance, even a night before depending on what’s being served. No one wants to hear, “give it a couple more minutes,” when you’ve been saying the same thing for hours.

    If you can’t cook, invite a friend that can to come earlier and help out. Everyone will be lining up to compliment you by the night’s end, instead of an angry mob full of E.coli.

    Classics like pizza, chips and dip can never fail. Hamburgers plus hotdogs are inexpensive, while also being delicious.

    10) Play Music Appropriate to the Event
    Unless it’s a funeral, nobody wants to hear your Lana Del Rey when they’re trying to turn up; save that for another day. Play music with fast tempos, great beats, and a mix of popular songs so everyone can sing along.

    11) Be a Great Host
    The most important thing to remember is that it’s the host’s job to make sure the guests are having a great time, but also remember to have some fun too.

    Use these tips to throw the greatest event that people will talk about for ages.

Spring Break X Tips

Damian Gordon

Staff Writer

    Waking up in some foreign place with no money and a kidney missing is not the ideal ending to spring break for most people. Every year, that mythical week comes around, where a mild mannered college student turns into law enforcements worse nightmare. 

    Spring break is the week when that blood pact occurs for no one to speak of what happened ever again. Here are some tips to get through on top like a champ and not a chump. 

    Money is the big factor that is going to decide how long the adventure is going to last, once the dough runs out so does the trip. Depending on where the trip is taking place, things like hotels, plane tickets and gas are not paying for themselves. 

    Get a good estimate on how much the trip is going to cost, then bring some extra “just in case” cash for good measure. Nobody wants to tell the story of the “odd favors” for cash they had to do find a way back home.

    It cannot be stressed enough that hotel reservations should be done as early as possible. When spring break comes around, all the prices go up and the amount of cash in a student’s pockets goes down even more. This will separate from sleeping in a motel surrounded by gunshot noise and that ominous guy standing at the corner and a peaceful sleep in a hotel with security around the corner.

    Be surrounded by the right type of people is another crucial part to a great spring break. Don’t bring anyone that doesn’t want to be there, they’ll just bring down everybody’s mood with constant barrage of sighs and complaining  

    BC student Taylor Nethersole advises others that” If traveling out to always walk with a friend, don’t tell strangers where you’re staying.”

    Travel with people you enjoy, if you can’t stand Keisha from work, you’ll hate Keisha the roommate.  These are people you will spend an extended amount of time with for a week, make it one to remember for the screams of joy and not of murder.

    Do all your assignments before the partying, “I want lots of essays and projects!” said nobody ever. The reality is that there will probably be work from teachers and it’s easier to do it sooner rather than right before class Monday.

    If the mode of transportation is by car, music is a vital part of keeping the good vibes alive. Make a playlist that is varied and everyone in the car can stand. No one wants to hear Adele the whole way to Tampa, because someone broke up with their girlfriend recently. Mix a little of rock, rap, and electronica for a soundtrack everybody can enjoy. 

    Switch drivers when necessary, to make sure everyone gets to the destination safely.  If it’s late at night and the driver is tired, talk to them and keep some conversation. Remember they want to sleep just like the others in the backseat are already are.

    Drink responsibly, no one wants to be their buddy’s chaperone the whole week, handle yourself and what you put in your body. 

    Florida State University attendee, Moremi Vassall has a warning for other students to ”Go with a group of people  you know. Don't do anything illegal, you will get caught…the police are like hounds during spring break.”

    The last thing to remember is nothing ever goes perfect as planned and unexpected setbacks might occur. In the end, following these tips will help turn an ordinary spring break into an extraordinary one.

The Dangers of Social Media

Carissa Perry-Smith

Staff Writer

    Social networking is intended to be a fun way to connect with friends and family. However, if the person is not using it properly then it could be more harmful than enjoyable. Students especially need to realize the dangers of sending and or posting inappropriate or explicit pictures. Things posted online could ruin a person’s chances of getting into a university, get a person in trouble at work or fired, and can ultimately put the person at risk for sexual predators. 

    A person is not able retract what they send once they send it. That is why it is most important not to send nude pictures to anyone. Once you send it, that person has free reign to send or post the pictures wherever they please. Once a picture is shared the sky is the limit as to where it can go via the world-wide web. 

    According to www.dosomething.org, 22 percent of high school age teens and 33 percent of college students have been involved in some form of “sexting”. 17 percent of “sexters” share the messages they receive with others, and 55 percent share them with more than one person.  

    On Wednesday Feb. 5, the Pembroke Pines Police Department received a complaint about students as young as 12 years of age having their naked pictures posted via social media. Since then they have heard from over 20 victims who have found their pictures online. 

    The main social media website that these pictures are being posted on is Instagram. Multiple accounts with similar names were created to prevent police from tracking the accounts. Police say that these pictures could have been stolen from students’ cellphones without their knowledge or consent.

    “Everyone was shouting the page out on Instagram so they could be accepted and see the pictures. I reported the accounts multiple times. Whoever did this is disgusting,” said BC student Dominique Brito.

    Investigators are still unsure about how many people are involved in creating the accounts.

Detective Mike Silver said that the creators could be facing either state or federal charges. Anyone who possessed or transmitted these pictures could also be looking at charges, even the victims. Child pornography is considered a felony. 

    Whoever posted these pictures also asked followers to send them additional pictures with the victim’s name, age, and the school they attend. The victims are from schools all over Broward County; most of which are underage. 

    The Broward School District police and the FBI have also joined the investigation.

“People need to be aware of what data they have on their phone. It’s better not to have it so it can’t be uploaded without the consent of the sender,” said Silver.

    Students need to be aware that anything they send to friends or family via text or e-mail can end up on social networking websites. They also need to understand that anything they post could get them into trouble or could be blown out of context. 

    If you don’t want your private moments or images to end up in a social network site, avoid having or taking any “inappropriate” snapshots. You never know who will see them, it could be your future university and/or employer.