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In this section we will highlight some countries from A - Z and we will share some interesting health facts about each country. Important health habits are taking place across the world 24 hours a day. We will look at Diet, Exercise, and Health Habits.

A - H , I - P , Q - Z

A - Australia
Dieting - Eating habits are similar to the United States. Fruits and vegetables grow year round. Take out food and fast food are very popular. There is a trend to eat lighter foods such as salads, seafood, and fresh vegetables. The main meal of the day is in the evening. It is called dinner but may also be called tea. A snack before bedtime is called supper

Recreation - People of all ages enjoy football, soccer, rugby, cricket, basketball, cycling, bush hiking, tennis, lawn bowling, and swimming. Netball which is similar to basketball is taught to girls and is very popular. Their most popular sport is fishing, which is also important to their economy.

Health Facts - There is health care provided and about two-thirds of the hospitals are public. The infant mortality rate is 7 per 1000 and life expectancy is 75 to 81 years.

B - Brazil
Dieting - Breakfast consists of coffee with milk, fruit, bread with marmalade. Lunch is the main meal and often includes beans, rice, meat, salad, potatoes, bread, and fruit. Dinner often includes a bowl of soup with bread. In Rio de Janeiro the favorite food is black beans with beef, pork, sausage, and sometimes even a pig's ear, feet, and tail.

Recreation - The national sport is futebol (soccer). Brazil's soccer teams are among the finest in the world. Some cities close their businesses for soccer games. The famous soccer player Pele' came from Brazil. Brazil has many fine beaches, so boating, fishing, and swimming are also very popular.

Health Facts - Excellent health care is available in the big cities to those who can afford it. However, other areas are rarely equipped with adequate facilities. Sanitation can be a problem in certain areas. The infant mortality rate is 57 per 1000 and the life expectancy is 64 to 69 years.

C- Canada

Dieting - Canada is a multicultural heritage, a variety of foods and dietary habits are represented, especially in Toronto and Ottawa. Some of the popular foods are wild rice, smoked fish, beef, ethnic dishes, Pacific salmon, and a variety of foods similar to those in the United States. Grains are more common inland and seafood is more popular on the coast.

Recreation - Ice hockey is the most popular sport. However, there are also high interests in boating, fishing, swimming, baseball, football, basketball, skiing, hunting, horseback riding, lacrosse, soccer, rugby, and curling. In curling, two four-person- teams slide a large stone over ice toward a target.

Health Facts - Canadians enjoy very good health in general. Their infant mortality rate is 7 per 1000 and their life expectancy is 75 to 82. Hospitals and quality of care is excellent.

D- Denmark
Diet - Breakfast consists of coffee or tea, pastries or rolls, cheese, eggs or cereal, and milk. For lunch, the Danes enjoy traditional open faced sandwiches. Pumpernickel bread is the bread used for the sandwiches. Staple foods include pork roast, fish, beans, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, fresh veggies, and breads. For Dinner, Danes enjoy and Danish hamburger with gravy, white potatoes, pickled red beets, and a salad.

Recreation - Soccer is the most popular. They also enjoy handball, badminton, swimming, sailing, rowing, and jogging. Among women, gymnastics, handball, horseback riding, and badminton are popular.

Health Facts - Their health care is provided and paid for through their taxes. Their infant mortality rate is 7 per 1000 and their life expectancy is 73 to 79 years. Medicine is available at a low cost but few can get it free.

E - England

Diets - A full traditional breakfast consists of bacon, sausages, grilled or fried tomatoes, mushrooms, eggs, and bread fried in oil. Fewer people are heating such a heavy meal at breakfast and instead are eating lighter variations. The British eat a variety of European and ethnic foods such as poultry and pasta dishes. Fast-food has also become very popular. Traditional English dishes include roast beef and yorkshire pudding

Recreation - Soccer and rugby are the most popular sports. Also, horse racing and cricket are common sports. Modern lawn tennis was first played in England and modern boxing rules came from the country. Other favorite forms of recreation include badminton, sailing, swimming, snooker, darts, and squash.

Health Facts - Britains health service provides on the basis of taxation. Quality of care is excellent. The country struggles with the cost of health care. Infant mortality rate is 7 per 1000 and life expectancy is 77 years.

F - Finland
Dieting - Finnish cuisine has been influenced by many cultures, from French to Russian, but it includes a wide variety of Finnish specialities using fish and seafood, wild game, and vegetables. Reindeer steak is a traditional speciality, as is salmon. Wild berries are popular in desserts and liqueurs. Potatoes, cheese and a finish buffet are also popular. Rye bread open sandwiches are popular.

Recreation - General fitness is important to Finns, whose favorite hobbies include fishing, hunting, camping, and other sporting activities. Ice fishing is important on winter weekends. Favorite sports include skiing, track-and -field, basketball, finnish baseball, ice hockey, cycling, and boating activities. Golf is gaining popularity; some even play on the ice in the winter.

Health - Finland takes great pride in its health program. It is funded by national and local taxes. Finland has one of the lowest infant mortality rate of 5 per 1000 and it life expectancy is 73-80 years. Finland has one of the world's highest doctor-patient and nurse-patient ratios.

G - Germany
Diets - Regional dishes vary among Germans such as potatoes, noodles, dumplings, sauces, vegetables, cakes, and pastries. Pork is a popular meat, along with beef, and to a lesser extent chicken. Lamb is widely available in the north. Fish is popular in North Sea areas such as Hamburg. Every region has it's own type of sausage. Breakfasts consists of rolls, marmalade, and coffee. The main meal is served during the mid day and a lighter meal is served around dinner which would consist of an open faced sandwich.

Recreation - Germans enjoy hiking, skiing, swimming, cycling, touring in cars, and playing tennis. Soccer is the most popular sport and millions belong to soccer clubs. Germany's team traditionally participate in world cup competition.

Health - Medical care is provided free or at minimal cost to all citizens. Private doctors practice, but most people have access to care in hospitals and clinics. When workers become ill, they receive up to six weeks of full pay while they recover. Germany's infant mortality rate is 6 per 1000 and their life expectancy is 73 to 79 years.

H - Honduras
Diet - Beans, corn, tortillas, and rice are the staple foods. Bananas, pineapples, mangoes, citrus fruits, coconuts, melons, avocados, potatoes, and yams are the most common fruits and vegetables. Special dishes include tapado, mondongo, nacatamales, and torrejas. Some restaurants in major cities serve pizza, hamburgers and other North American dishes.

Recreation - Soccer is the most popular sport. Young boys play the game almost anytime, anywhere, and professional competition is available as well. Girls are likely to play basketball. Boys and men in rural areas enjoy playing card and dice games. Wealthy Hondurans enjoy cycle races, baseball, golf, tennis, and swimming

Health - Various health challenges face Honduras, which is in the yellow fever endemic zone. Malaria is prevalent below 3,00 feet, and rabies, typhoid, hepatitis, parasites, and dysentery, as well as intestinal disease, present problems for the population. About 50 percent of the children suffer from malnutrition. Many villagers must walk hours to reach a health facility. The infant mortality rate is 43 per 1000 and the life expectancy is 66-71 years.