“A Healthy Lifestyle” Yr11 Phys-Ed Studies Term 2

So What Is Health? Health can best be described as: “physical & mental well-being and freedom from disease, pain or defect”. This definition only describes health at it’s surface, as there may be times when a person feels healthy, yet may be overweight, stressed or unfit. Our individual health is dependent upon the interaction and interdependence of our physical state, mental/emotional reactions, and the social context in which we exist. We often use the “Health Triangle” to describe this relationship. Physical Mental and Emotional Social

Health: The Reality The image of the average Australian is one of a healthy person enjoying regular exercise, abundant with good food, and enjoying a relaxing climate, however this is not the case. The reality is that Australians have a diet rich in carbohydrates, fat and salt; a low level of participation in regular physical activity; and the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. The “good news” about Australian health is that the number of deaths from parasitic and infectious diseases has decreased significantly since the early 1900’s. The “bad news” is that the number of deaths from lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, accidents, suicide and AIDS has increased just as markedly.

Health: The Reality Approximately 40% of all deaths in Australia are related to coronary heart disease (CHD), this works out to be about 1 death every 10 minutes due to CHD. Even though Australia is a world leader when it comes to medicine, medical science is largely unable to overcome the current health crisis, as much of it is brought on by the health habits of ordinary Australians rather than the incidence of disease.

What Is A Healthy Lifestyle? A healthy lifestyle has the following major components: Self-Awareness A Balanced Diet Regular Physical Activity Rest and Relaxation

Self-Awareness In order to lead a healthy life, it is necessary for the individual to be aware of their health. This means not only physically, but also the mental and emotional aspects of the body’s functioning. The body’s health needs will change depending on the type of environment (home, work, school, leisure) that the individual is in. Sometimes changes to our lifestyle may need to be made in order to function sufficiently in these environments. If the necessary changes are made sooner rather than later, then a stable, balanced and healthy lifestyle will be more consistently maintained.

A Balanced Diet The foods that we eat provide us with essential nutrients and minerals that the body needs to perform basic day-to-day activities. The typical Australian diet is characterised by a more than adequate intake of protein, a high sugar content, a high fat content and a low content of fibre. This type of diet is closely related to the incidence of diseases such as obesity, heart disease and bowel disorders. The foods that the body requires can be placed in 5 basic food groups: Bread & Cereals: provide carbohydrates for energy Dairy Products: provide a large number of vitamins & minerals including calcium Meat, Fish, Eggs & Nuts: provide proteins Fruit & Vegetables: provide complex carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins & minerals Fats: saturated (animal derived) & unsaturated (plant derived)

Regular Physical Activity Regular physical activity is basic to the achievement of health and an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical exercise contributes to a healthy lifestyle by: strengthening the heart muscle and improving its efficiency increasing oxygenation of the heart muscle assisting in weight control reducing blood pressure reducing blood fat levels decreasing fatigue by increasing physical endurance reducing muscle tension caused by stress promoting a deeper, more restful sleep which is more restorative improving mood and mental concentration improving posture, appearance and self-image There are now consistent recommendations that all individuals should conduct at least 30mins of moderate activity a day.

Rest and Relaxation An adequate amount of sleep and rest are vital ingredients needed for a healthy lifestyle. It is during these times of rest and sleep that the body is given opportunity to replenish energy stores and to build and repair tissues. The amount of sleep and rest an individual needs is influenced by factors such as their age and level of involvement in physical activity. Relaxation is also an important part of healthy living. Our lives often become frustrating which causes us to feel “ stressed ”. People react to various situations differently, and therefore it is not necessarily the situation but the reaction that causes stress.

Revision Questions 1.List and briefly describe the 4 major components of a healthy lifestyle. 2.What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats? 3.What are carbohydrates used for? 4.Vitamins and minerals are provided by which foods? 5.Explain why water is such an essential part of the body. 6.List 6 ways in which regular physical activity contributes to a healthy lifestyle.