Lifestyle and Its Impact On Health - Essay Example

Lifestyle and Health A saying goes, 'health is wealth.' Almost everyone will concur to this ment. How can anyone dispute the importance of being in a healthy state Yet, despite the clarity of the message of this simple statement, the world today faces a lot of health problems. Medical technology continues to advance as of the moment, yet it seems people who are facing the threat of illness and diseases continue to grow (Zabriskie, 2002). The state of health is the point of contention. To better understand the health of an individual, the lifestyle and behaviour must be given a closer look. This is so for the different elements of the physical body generally work in harmony with each other to maintain a good health, but this can only be possible if a healthy lifestyle is maintained (World Book Encyclopedia, 1994). Positive lifestyle factors can hugely improve the state of health of the individual. The World Book Dictionary defines health as that state of being well or not sick. Hodal (2005) further asserts that this should also encompass the optimal state where the physical, mental and social well being of the individual is attained. There should be a more holistic approach in considering health. There should be an interrelation among the different aspects of the human body, including the lifestyle, to achieve the optimum state of health (Hodal, 2005). Everyone has always been told to eat a healthy diet. What does this proposition really entail Having a healthy diet means eating the right food and feeding the body with the essential minerals, vitamins, proteins, fats and carbohydrates that are crucial for an individual to properly function (Hodal, 2005). Food is needed to support the body. Food is needed to make one healthy. Food is also part of the lifestyle of any individual. This is why any food, particularly eating the healthy diet, is one big chunk in the positive lifestyle factors and a necessary element to fight off nutritional diseases like obesity or extreme fatness (World Book Encyclopedia, 1994). Being active and mobile are also essential to health. It was declared not too long ago that one epidemic that is threatening Asians is the diabetes (Zabriskie, 2002). Diabetes, once it has invaded the body, cannot anymore be eradicated; the adverse effects, however, can still be avoided (Zabriskie, 2002). The best solution so far, to control the disease is to have an active. It was further pointed out by Zabriskie (2002) that having a healthy diet, lots of exercise, seeking regular check ups and controlling the weight are important elements in the lifestyle of a person, especially for the diabetic. It is truly undeniable that a healthy lifestyle is needed to improve on the health and whole being of the individual. In much the same way, the negative lifestyle factors also have a major impact on the health of an individual. It was shown that there are behavioural and social issues that can really threaten the healthy state of the body of the individual (Lyons and Langille, 2000). Before, society is concerned with the threat of infectious diseases; today the main concern is the hazard of leading unhealthy lifestyles (World Book Encyclopedia, 1994). There are many negative factors that people imbibed in their daily life like smoking, overeating, drinking, lack of sleep and lack of exercise. Such stressful behaviours can affect the overall body of the person and lead to ailments and health problems (National Women's Health Resource Center, 2006). Obesity is one health problem that people today are facing. This is a significant problem that has come about because of unhealthy and poor diet. It was found that the average American diet is high in salt, sugar and fat, characteristic of foods that encourage obesity (Smith and Pergola, 2002). Experts also declared that there is a sudden threat of diabetes in Asia and it has been tagged as the 'silent killer' (Zabriskie, 2002). This was generally attributed to the drastic and negative lifestyle change among Asians. Eating mainly Western cuisine, drinking of too much soda, becoming too much of couch potato and lack of exercise are some of the factors to be blamed (Zabriskie, 2002). Researchers try to explain that such negative lifestyle affects the adversely the body because it goes against the normal way the human body function and they explain this through the 'thrifty gene' theory (Zabriskie, 2002). This expounds the idea that the human body is able to survive through periods of feast and famine. When a person eats a lot, it is meant to be stored for later purpose, however this cannot hold anymore with the way people eat today (Zabriskie, 2002). Using this argument, it is clear that the negative lifestyle factors are abusing the capacity of the human body, thereby resulting to health consequences. The discussion should not stop on how the different lifestyle factors can affect the human body in the long run. Changes should be made to improve the state of being of the individual and particularly how a person shall go about with this endeavor. At this point, there should be more room given for improvement, particularly in the lifestyles of people who confront the health problems. One attitude needed to address the situation is to be proactive in making the necessary modifications in the lifestyle. Singapore addressed the threat of diabetes through observation and implementing programmes. School kids who are overweight are given special exercise programmes and fast-food vendors are bullied to use less oil in the dishes (Zabriskie, 2002). Another area that has to be focused on is the need to completely change the lifestyle of an individual. Cardiac disease patients, for example, are mandated to improve the quality of their lifestyle in order to minimize emergencies and fatal consequences (Hutchison, 2003). This is ideally done by undergoing various programs. The patient has to regularly exercise, completely quit smoking, eat healthy diet and get rid of other vices (Hutchison, 2003). It was further related by Hutchison (2003) that in countries like Australia, Canada and Malaysia, there are also efforts coming from the government and private organizations to campaign for an improved way of living for those inflicted with the heart disease. Changing the habits is definitely challenging. Personally, I had known that this task is easier said than done, for it is difficult to let go something that has been part of the system or routine. Evidently, will and conscious effort are needed to encourage a wholesome lifestyle, therefore, address the health problem. On the other hand, this can be supported by other efforts which will be discussed below. Health and lifestyle factors can also be further endorsed through health promotion methods. Given the many quandaries that the modern society faces today, health promotion is the most appropriate tool to solve the health problem (Mittelmark, 2000). There are many ways to go about the health promotion endeavor. Public policies and programmes are needed to educate people of the negative impacts of some behavior and to teach them on what they can do (Mittelmark, 2000). It will be very ideal to do this in the local and national level. This is to make people aware and encourage them. Another area to focus on are the technology and resources of a community so that lifestyle changes can be carefully planned out and managed (Mittelmark, 2000). Local institutions must be involved in the endeavor like the hospitals, schools, neighbourhood associations and the workplace. The group effort in this instance can be a good basis to encourage an individual (Allpsych, 2004). Through this method, different sectors of the community will be reached and informed of the policies and programmes (Mittelmark, 2000). A third aspect that can be focused on is the health care system to improve the capability of the institution to provide education, care and preventive measures to the patients (Mittelmark, 2000). Finally, there must be a programme or technology that shall help the people to properly control their lifestyle and behaviour (Mittelmark, 2000). This may include encouraging a particular diet or narrowing down the choices of citizens in their consumption. Given these various alternatives to promote health consciousness among the people, the focus on the community and the local resources seems to be the most relevant. This method is the most concrete of all, something that is manifest to the people. In promoting an ideal, it is best to make the people aware of the message. Thus using the local resources and mobilizing the community seems to be the best medium to encourage people to live a healthy and active lifestyle. The quest to promote health is aided by the use of promotion materials which may range from advertisements, fliers, brochures, health kids, reference cards, publication, to proactive interaction with the target groups (Health Promotion Resource Center or HPRC, 2003). Health kits provide step-by-step guidelines to lifestyle change; publications give the latest in research efforts; and programs focus on implementing successful projects and studies (HPRC, 2003). The National Public Health Institute (2004) implemented lifestyle change counseling groups for diabetic persons to give special attention in reducing the risk of the disease through healthy lifestyle and diet. This method basically focuses on the health clients and the groups are supervised by trained nurses and physiotherapists. Such counseling is found to be effective especially for the elderly who are diabetics (NPHI, 2004). This alternative may work for the elders, considering that they have more time to spend for the session. However, the method may not get the optimum result if implemented to busy and working people who do not have sufficient time to dedicate for the counseling. Web-based materials prepared by health educators and professionals are also utilized now (HPRC, 2003). This is effective in disseminating information to most anybody. Geography is not a hindrance. This material, however, has a one-way approach. There is not much interaction and the success depends on the will of those who acquired the material. Furthermore, this can only apply to people who have access to computer. Given the many choices in promotion materials, it is important to apply the most appropriate tool for a particular group. This challenge to make individuals adopt a healthy lifestyle has led institutions to come up with various ways to motivate. Motivation, primarily, is the drive to achieve the goal to reach self-actualization, to grow emotionally, intellectually or physically (Allpsych, 2004). Whatever the condition may be, the individual still has the predisposition to aim for something better. Motivation may come in different forms, varying from each person, so that they will be able to go far in what they are doing (Treuer, 2002). To individuals who need to adopt a healthy lifestyle, the motivating factors may vary. Most individuals now are motivated by the need to be physically fit to look good (Smith and Pergola, 2002). Heart disease patients are motivated by the force of fear, especially those who have experienced mild attacks or the negative effects (Hutchison, 2003). The simple reward of leading a normal and active life and achieving a well-rounded being should be motivation enough to pursue the healthy lifestyle (Hodal, 2005). It is one thing to aim to live a healthy lifestyle. It is a feat to do so. However, it is another challenge to sustain it. Modifying behaviour to adapt a healthy lifestyle would require ample social intervention for this to be sustained (Lyons and Langille, 2000). The success of lifestyle change also depends on the support it will get from the environment. Lyons and Langille (2000) put forth that maintaining a healthy lifestyle should go beyond the fear of getting sick; it should also include a firm belief in the outcome of the behaviour. For example, a diabetic or an obese who is struggling to stay in a healthy diet must get the proper support from the environment. The household must not store sweets and fatty foods. The family members must also engage in exercise or sports activities. The community must also contribute to this effort for there are social behaviours that affect the individual (Lyons and Langille, 2000). Thus, the effort to a healthy lifestyle must also be seen at its bigger picture. REFERENCE LIST Allpsych and Heffner Media Group, Inc. (2004) Motivation. [online] (Updated 21 March 2004) Available from: [Accessed: 22 May 2006]. Health Promotion Resource Center (2003). Health Promotion Materials. [online] Available from: [Accessed: 23 May 2006]. Hodal, B. Lifestyle Choices' Effects on Health and Immune Function. [online] Available from: [Accessed: 23 May 2006]. Hutchison, Jim., 2003. Asia's silent killer. Reader's Digest. March. pp. 58-64. Lyons, R and Langille, L. (2000). Healthy Lifestyle: Strengthening the effectiveness of lifestyle approaches to improve health. [online] Available from: < http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ph-sp/phdd/pdf/lifestyle.pdf> [Accessed: 23 May 2006]. Mittelmark, M. (2000) What Is Health Promotion [online] Available from: [Accessed: 23 May 2006]. National Public Health Institute. (2004). Lifestyle Change Counseling Group. [online] (Updated 17 May 2004) Available from: [Accessed: 22 May 2006]. National Women's Health Resource Center. (2006). Americans Engage in Unhealthy Behaviors to Manage Stress. [online] (Updated 23 February 2006) Available from: [Accessed: 23 May 2006]. Smith, S and Pergola, J. (2002). Preventing Stress Through a Healthy Lifestyle. [online] Available from: [Accessed: 23 May 2006]. The World Book Encyclopedia, 1994, Health, vol. 9, pp. 94-97, Chicago. Treuer, P. (2002) Motivation. [online] (Updated 20 February 2002) Available from: [Accessed: 23 May 2006]. Zabriskie, Phil., 2002. Silent killer. 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