Behavioural Determinants of Health How they contribute to a variation in Health Status?

What does a variation in health status mean? **IMPORTANT SAC/EXAM HINT** Variation in Health Status = Explain how a factor, determinant or example CONTRIBUTES TO THE SUSCEPATABILITY OF ILLNESS OR DISEASE. Is the likelihood of an individual contracting a condition increased or decreased as a result of the factor, determinant or example

E.g. How does physical activity (behavioural) contribute to variations in health status of individuals? Physical activity can have many benefits for health and can therefore contribute to many differences in health status between individuals and communities. For example, those who get adequate physical activity are less likely to develop: -Obesity and its associated conditions including CVD, diabetes, arthritis, respiratory conditions and cancers -Mental Health Problems -Osteoporosis (associated with weight bearing activities)

Tobacco Smoking Smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of developing: -Many forms of cancer Tobaccos smoke causes a fault in the body cells as they divide. Damaged cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps called tumours. -Cardiovascular disease -Respiratory diseases such as emphysema and asthma

Alcohol Consumption Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol contributes to: -Liver disease or cancer of the liver -Increased road accidents -Brain damage associated with loss or long and short term memory -Obesity

Drug Misuse The abuse of drugs can increase the risk of developing: -Metal illness -Brain damage -Birth defects -Accidents -HIV and hepatitis (sharing needles)

Physical Activity Physical activity levels can result in numerous positive and negative health outcomes such as: NEGATIVE: -Increased rates of obesity. Physical inactivity means individuals use less energy than they consume (through food) which leads to weight gain POSITIVE - Reduced rates of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and stress. Exercise can help to alleviate stress. It produces hormones called endorphins which promote feelings of happiness and wellbeing.

Dietary Behaviour The foods people eat contribute to a variation in health status by: -Increasing risk of colo-rectal cancer. Fibre (found in fruits and vegetables) can reduce the risk of developing CRC by assisting in the removal of waste from the digestive system. Fibre helps to lubricate your stool (faeces/poo) making it more comfortable and easier to pass. -Fibre helps you to feel fuller for longer and therefore you are less likely to consume energy dense foods (high in fat and sugar) This reduces the likelihood of developing obesity, hypertension, high blood cholesterol (?) impaired glucose regulation (?) type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diease

Dietary Behaviour cont. -Folate (also found in fruits and vegetables) promotes prenatal development. A lack of folate in the diet has been linked to conditions such as spina bifida (a defect of the spine where some of the spinal cord is exposed as the backbone has not fully formed) and other neural tube defects. -Excessive fat intake contributes to obesity as energy that is not burnt off is stored in the body as fat. It also contributes to hypertension, high cholesterol levels, CVD and diabetes. -High sodium (salt) intake leads to hypertension

Dietary Behaviour cont. -High amounts of sugar in the diet leads to excess consumption of kilojoules. These are stored as fat and if not burnt off, increases the risk of being overweight or obese. Sugar also acts as a breeding ground for bacteria in the mouth, eating away tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay. -Calcium is responsible for the strengthening (ossification) of bones and teeth. Low levels of calcium in the body can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis as bones may not be strong. Calcium is important for women, particularly during menopause, as changing oestrogen levels (oestrogen is essential for health bones) makes it harder for the body to retain calcium. -Iron helps to form haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the substance which allows oxygen to be distributed to the body in the blood stream. Without sources of iron in the diet, such as ______, the risk of developing anaemia increases.

Sexual Behaviours Unsafe sexual practices can contribute to a variation in health status: -Increasing the risk of contracting an STI -Increasing the rate of unwanted pregnancy

Risk Taking Behaviours Risk taking behaviours can result in both positive and negative health outcomes such as: -Accidents leading to death -Accidents leading to injuries and long term disability -Violence leading to injury, disability and death