biological factors Flashcards
definition
Relate to the structure of the cells, tissues and the systems of the body and how adequately they function
examples
- Body weight
- Age
- Blood pressure
- Blood cholesterol
- Glucose regulation
- Birth weight
- Genetics
body weight risks
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases (heart attack and stroke)
- Musculoskeletal issues
cardiovascular disease
excess body weight strains the heart, increasing blood pressure and hypertension, leading to higher rates of heart attack, stroke, and mortality
type 2 diabetes
obesity contributes to impaired glucose regulation, increasing type 2 diabetes risk, which in turn raises the likelihood of kidney disease
Musculoskeletal issues
Extra weight places strain on joints, increasing the prevalence of osteoarthritis
age risks
Age:
- Hearing and vision
- Cognitive decline
hearing and vision
Increased incidence of hearing loss, cataracts, and other sight disorders
cognitive decline
Higher incidence of dementia and reduced cognitive functioning, affecting problem-solving abilities
blood pressure
As the heart contracts and the blood is pushed around the body, this pressure increases. As the heart relaxes and fills with more blood, the pressure on the walls decreases. Blood pressure is simply a measure of those two levels of pressure
risks of blood pressure
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular health
hypertension
means the blood is not able to flow as easily through the blood vessels when compared to to someone with normal blood pressure
cardiovascular disease
Hypertension increases the workload on the heart, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke, leading to higher mortality rates and reduced life expectancy
systolic pressure
measures the highest point in the pressure cycle; when the heart contracts and pumps blood out
diastolic pressure
measures the lowest point in the pressure cycle; when the heart relaxes
Normal blood pressure is measured at 120 over 80
genetics
The genetic material contained in body cells controls many aspects of life that influence health status, such as sex, body type, hormone production, predisposition to disease and aspects of personality.
A person’s genetic blueprint and genetic potential are determined at fertilisation. Some conditions can be influenced by genetics, whereas others are not.
factors with genetics
- testosterone
- oestrogen
- sex
- genetic predisposition
testosterone - mortality
Males have higher testosterone levels compared to females. This increases the likelihood of males participating in risky behaviours like drink driving. This increases the risk of car accidents increasing the risk of premature death, contributing to higher mortality rates for males in Australia
sex
Sex: Some diseases are exclusively a male or female disease (females cannot get prostate cancer, and less than 1% of all breast cancer cases are from males)
genetic predisposition
individuals can have a genetic predisposition to a particular disease. This means that they have an increased risk of that disease, however other factors may play a role in whether they actually develop the disease
oestrogen - osteoporosis
Regulates the menstrual cycle in females and helps to maintain bone density in women by keeping the bones strong. When a woman enters menopause, the levels of oestrogen decline
This decline leads to a loss of bone mass from the skeletal system, which can contribute to osteoporosis - a disease characterised by weak, porous bones that are more susceptible to breaks and fractures
