3.1.5 - contributing factors Flashcards
(30 cards)
Biological factors
Body weight, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, birth weight, genetics.
Body weight
How much a person weights.
Health concerns = high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, impaired glucose regulation, cvd, t2d, social exclusion, etc.
Blood pressure
Measure of the pressure applied to the blood vessel walls as blood circulates around the body + increase in pressure when the heart contracts, and blood is pushed around the body.
High blood pressure
The blood does not flow through the blood vessels as easily + the heart and kidneys have to work harder.
- Risk factors - high BMI, smoking, excessive alcohol, lack of physical activity, etc.
Health concerns - CVD, kidney failure.
Blood cholesterol
Cholesterol = type of fat.
High blood cholesterol
Too much LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins), blocking the arteries. Incidence increases with age.
- Risk factors - excessive alcohol, diet it high in trans/sat fat, smoking, etc.
- Health concerns - CVD.
Glucose regulation
Glucose is the sugar found in food used as fuel within the cells + obtained from breaking down CHO.
- CHO eaten = gluc absorbed into BS = BG levels rise = insulin released from pancreas to allow gluc to travel from BS into the cells to be used for energy.
Impaired glucose regulation
Cells become resistant to the act of insulin, preventing glucose from being absorbed into the cells.
- Risk factors - genetic predisposition, high BMI, smoking, high fat diet, etc.
- Health concerns - T2D, CVC, kidney disease, premature death.
Birth weight
How much a baby weighs when they are born.
Low birth weight
Born weighing less than 2.5kg.
- Risk factors - premature birth, mother’s nutrition, mother’s age, smoking + alcohol during pregnancy, etc.
- Health concerns - underdeveloped immune system, premature death, significant disabilities, high BP CVD + T2D (in adulthood)
Genetics
Genetic material contained in the body cells controlling many aspects of life that influence health status (eg. sex, hormone production).
Genetics - sex
Certain conditions are exclusive or more common in one sex due to biological differences (eg. breast cancer in females).
Genetics - hormones
- Oestrogen - needed for regulation of menstrual cycle in women + helps maintain bone density in women (decreased during menopause = osteoporosis).
- Testosterone - responsible for male sex characteristics + production of sperm, role in increasing risk-taking behaviours + aggression in males.
Sociocultural factors
SES, unemployment, social exclusion, social isolation, cultural norms, food security, early life experiences, access to healthcare.
SES
The social standing of an individual in comparison to others in that society.
- Income - inability to access resources.
- Occupation - increase risk of injuries, sedentary in nature = reduce physical activity.
- Education - increase health literacy.
Unemployment
Job insecurity/not having a source of income.
- Illness can cause + be a result.
- Increased stress + anxiety (leads to suicide, lung cancer, CVD, etc).
Social exclusion
The segregation people experience if they aer not adequately participating in the society in which they live.
- Increased - risk-taking behaviours, mental disorders, family breakdown, low income, homelessness, (causes are often results).
Social isolation
Refers to individual’s who aren’t in regular contact with others.
Cultural norms
Relates to customs, ideas, values + traditions of a particular society that are passed through generations.
- Gender stereotypes - male macho.
- Food/dietary intake - influences consumption.
- Attitudes + beliefs - toward education, employment, recreation, health, healthcare.
Food security
The state in which all person’s obtained nutritionally adequate, culturally appropriate, safe food regularly + through non-emergency sources.
Food insecurity
When health, affordable food is not attainable.
- Lead to deficiency diseases, cheaper food can be more processed/higher sugar, fat, etc.
Food plenty - diet related diseases from eating too much (CVD, T2D).
Early life experiences
Before birth - maternal tobacco, alcohol, + drug use = significant impact on child (low BW, increase risk of infections, etc).
After birth - optimal growth + strong emotional attachment in early years.
Access to healthcare
Access to services that promote + preserve H+WB, and which diagnose, treat, and/or manage disease/injury.
- Limiting factors - geographical proximity, financial position, culture, health literacy.
Environmental factors
Housing, work environment, urban design + infrastructure, climate + climate change.