Chapter 2

Question 0

What are behavioural determinants of health?

Answer 0

actions or patterns of living of an individual or a group that impact on health, such as smoking, sexual activity, participation in physical activity and eating practice

Question 1

What is Atherosclerosis?

Answer 1

the build-up of plaque on blood vessel walls, making it harder for blood to get through

Question 2

What are biological determinants of health?

Answer 2

factors relating to the body that impact on health, such as genetics, hormones, body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, birth weight

Question 3

What is the BMI and how is it calculated?

Answer 3

BMI is a statistical measure of body mass calculated by dividing weight (in kilograms) by height (in m2). A score of 20–25 is considered a healthy weight. Anything over 25 is considered overweight and over 30 is considered obese.

Question 4

What is Cholesterol?

Answer 4

Cholesterol is a type of fat required for maintaining cell membranes and producing hormones. One type of cholesterol (LDL) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease

Question 5

What are the determinants of health?

Answer 5

Factors that affect the level of health in a population or individual. Determinants of health help to explain or predict trends in health and why some groups have better or worse health than others.’ Determinants can be classified in many ways such as biological, behavioural and social

Question 6

What is the fight or flight response?

Answer 6

the body’s response to potentially threatening situations. Hormones kick into action to prepare the person to stay and fight or run (flight).

Question 7

What is food insecurity?

Answer 7

when healthy, affordable food is not obtainable

Question 8

What is food security?

Answer 8

‘the state in which all persons obtain nutritionally adequate, culturally appropriate, safe
food regularly through local non-emergency sources’ (VicHealth, 2008)

Question 9

What is hypertension?

Answer 9

Hypertension is high blood pressure.

Question 10

What is menopause?

Answer 10

when the menstrual cycle stops permanently, ending the ability of a female to reproduce

Question 11

What is a mutation?

Answer 11

when the DNA in a cell is damaged or changed, permanently altering the genetic information within the cell. This can affect the function of the cell in either a positive or negative way. Mutations often occur during cell reproduction.

Question 12

What is the physical environment?

Answer 12

the physical surroundings in which we live, work and play. The physical environment includes water and air, workplaces, housing, roads, nature, schools, recreation settings and exposure to hazards

Question 13

What are protective factors?

Answer 13

aspects of a person’s personality and environment that act to protect their health. Examples include resilience, a supportive family and a satisfying job.

Question 14

What is relative poverty?

Answer 14

refers to people who have a low income or lack resources compared to the average in the society in which they live

Question 15

Social determinants of health?

Answer 15

aspects of society and the social environment that impact on health, such as poverty, early life experiences, social networks and support

Question 16

What is social inclusion?

Answer 16

the segregation that people experience if they are not adequately participating in the society in which they live

Question 17

What is social isolation?

Answer 17

the segregation that people experience if they are not adequately participating in the society in which they live

Question 18

What is socioeconomic status (SES)?

Answer 18

the social standing of an individual in comparison to others in that society. It is based on education, income and occupation.

Question 19

What are trans fats?

Answer 19

types of fat that have similar effects to saturated fat. Found in small amounts naturally in some foods, trans fats are often produced by humans in a process called hydrogenation.