Paraphrase this sentences in your own words.

Question

Betel (Areca) nut is the seed of Areca catechu, a palm tree grown in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia and parts of East Africa.

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), betel nut (buai in Tok Pisin) was originally consumed by coastal people, but its use has now spread to the heavily-populated highlands region.

The chewing of betel nut was a practiced by the village chiefs as they sat in a meeting house to discuss the affairs of the village.

Young men and women didn't normally chew betel nuts until they became adults, but this practice has been gradually abandoned so that now almost everyone chews betel nuts, even children as young as two years.

In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified betel nut as a cancer causing agent and has initiated an action plan to reduce its use.

The products of betel nut chewing affect almost all organs of the human body, including the brain, heart, lungs, gastro-intestinal tract and reproductive organs.

Expectant mothers who regularly chew betel nut have higher incidences of low birth weight, low birth length and pre-term births.

Perinatal exposure to betel nut exposes the fetus to harmful carcinogens.

There is an associated public health issue related to the spitting of chewed betel nut and its role in spreading infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB).

The widespread use of betel nut in Papua New Guinea (PNG) across all age groups, there is clearly a need for the population to be accurately informed about its adverse effects on human health, particularly the health of young children and expectant mothers.

Answer 1

Betel nut, derived from the Areca catechu palm, is commonly found in tropical regions of the Pacific, Asia, and parts of East Africa.

In Papua New Guinea, betel nut, referred to as buai in Tok Pisin, was initially consumed by coastal communities, but its popularity has now extended to the densely populated highland areas.

Traditionally, village chiefs would chew betel nut during meetings to discuss community matters.

In the past, young men and women typically waited until adulthood to start chewing betel nut, but this custom has changed, leading to widespread use among all age groups, including children as young as two.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated betel nut as a carcinogenic substance and has launched strategies to decrease its consumption.

Chewing betel nut has detrimental effects on nearly all body organs, such as the brain, heart, lungs, digestive system, and reproductive organs.

Expectant mothers who regularly consume betel nut are at a greater risk of having babies with low birth weight, short length, or even pre-term deliveries.

Fetuses exposed to betel nut are subjected to harmful carcinogenic substances.

There are public health concerns linked to the spitting of chewed betel nut, which can facilitate the spread of infectious diseases like tuberculosis (TB).

Given the extensive use of betel nut among various age groups in Papua New Guinea, it is crucial to provide the population with accurate information about its negative impacts on health, especially for children and pregnant women.