Health Risks and Your Behavior Lesson 3 Health Risks and Your Behavior

Identifying Health Risks Risk Behaviors = actions that can potentially threaten your health or the health of others. YOU can control most risk behaviors Understanding risks associated with certain behaviors can influence safe and responsible decisions about risks to avoid

Recognizing Risk Behaviors The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified six risk behaviors that account for most deaths and disabilities of young adults. These risk behaviors can leade to heart disease, cancer and other serious illnesses later in life: Tobacco use Unhealthy dietary behaviors Inadequate physical activity Alcohol and drug use Sexual behaviors that may result in HIV infection, other STD’s and unintended pregnancies. Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence.

Risks and Consequences Risk behaviors have serious impact on health Behaviors carry consequences, either short-term or long-term, that can harm health, some may even be fatal. Evaluate consequences before engaging in these risks

Risks and Consequences (Con’t) Cumulative Risks = related risks that increase in effect with each added risk. These can add up over time Examples?

How to Avoid or Reduce Risks You can take action to reduce your exposure to health risks by practicing positive health behaviors One way to reduce health risks is through prevention ( taking steps to keep something from happening or getting worse. Another way to reduce health risks is through abstinence (deliberate decision to avoide high-risk behaviors, including sexual activity, and the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs) By abstaining from these behaviors, you show you value your well being, demonstrate maturity, and play an active role in maintaining your health.

Lifestyle Factors These factors include: Personal habits or behaviors related to the way a person lives People who practice positive health habits tend to be healthier and live longer These factors include: Getting 8 hours of sleep each night Starting each day with a healthy breakfast Eating a variety of nutritious foods each day Being physically active for 30-60 minutes Maintaining a healthy weight Abstatining from smoking or use of other tobacco products Abstaining from the use of alcohol and other drugs

Group Work Discuss at least 5 specific strategies individuals can use to reduce risks and enhance health