factors impacting health and wellbeing Flashcards
biological factors (7)
factors that relate to the body that impact health and wellbeing. they include: body weight age blood pressure blood cholesterol blood glucose regulation birth weight genetics
risks of a high body weight (7)
the higher the body weight, the higher the risk of high blood cholesterol high blood pressure impaired glucose regulation type 2 diabetes arthritis mental health conditions
how do people get a high body weight
genetics can play a role in body weight but the main cause is an imbalance between energy consumed and energy expended
body weight BMI
BMI: an index of weight for height, is used to classify people as overweight or obese
Kg/Height (m^2), a BMI of 25-29.9 indicates overweight and 30 is obesity
body weight waist circumference
Waist circumference: used as an indicator for body weight (greater than 88 for women and 102 for men indicates a higher risk)
body weight obesity
Obesity: the carrying of excess body weight in the form of fat. A BMI in excess of 3O is considered obese
blood pressure how is it measured
Blood pressure is normally reported as the systolic over the diastolic figure. 120/80 indicates a normal blood pressure
Systolic: heart contracts
Diastolic: relaxes
blood pressure hypertension
means high blood pressure
hypertension is when blood is not able to flow as easily through the blood vessels because of blockages which are caused by the build up of plaque. This means their heart and kidneys (which regulate blood pressure and filter blood) have to work harder
risks of high blood pressure (4)
leads to hypertension which can cause
restricted blood flow
increased pressure on the heart and kidneys
kidney failure
cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes)
what can cause hypertension (5)
The risk factors for hypertension are: Stress Smoking excessive alcohol consumption Genetic predisposition Poor diet
blood cholesterol what is cholesterol
cholesterol is an essential type of fat for bodily processes. it is created in the liver however people consume additional amounts from animal products.
types of cholesterol
Low density lipoprotein (LDL), known as bad cholesterol. When there is too much LDL the the blood, it tends to be deposited on the walls of the blood vessels giving it less room to travel (gets stuck on walls of blood vessels causing a smaller space for blood to move through)
High density lipoprotein known as good cholesterol
blood cholesterol risks to health
if too much cholesterol is produced the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as strokes and coronary heart disease increases. (blood cannot travel around the body)
Too much LDL leads to Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis: the build up of plaque, caused by excess cholesterol resulting in hardening and loss of elasticity of blood vessels (caused by consuming too many trans fats)
blood glucose regulation
what is insulin resistance? impaired glucose regulation
when blood glucose levels are consistently high, insulin levels are also high. When this occurs over a long period of time cells become resistant to the action of insulin, preventing glucose from being absorbed
what can insulin resistance cause
Insulin resistance is a precursor to type 2 diabetes and increases the risk of kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and premature death
what causes insulin resistance (3)
Genetic predisposition
Smoking
Obesity
birth weight
babies born with a low birth weight (under 2.5kg) are more likely to suffer a range of health conditions during infancy and have been linked to increased health concerns later in life
risks of low birth weight
Underdeveloped immune system (more likely to suffer infections)
speech and learning disabilities
In adulthood, high blood pressure, type two diabetes, cardiovascular disease
sociocultural (9)
aspects of society and the social environment that impact on health and wellbeing includes: SES housing issues level of education food security employment status early life experiences social networks access to health care social isolation and exclusion
access to health care
what is health care
Health care refers to services that promote and preserve health. These services diagnose, treat and/or manage disease and illness.
risks of not being able to get health care
premature death
treatable conditions go undiagnosed
higher morality rate from treatable conditions
cultural and financial barriers health care
cultural: language, religious beliefs, lack of understanding of western medicine can mean that some population groups are less likely to access health care e.g. indigenous Australians
financial barriers: (low SES) restricts the type of health care available including care such as private insurance and dental care
literacy barriers