The Amount of Physical Activity - Assignment Example

Health Impact of Physical Inactivity Introduction Focus on outlining the focus of the essay Physical activity and its relation to health is something that countless people take for granted. This is especially with regards to the negative or positive impact it may have on their health. The assumption or notion that the human body can protect itself without the presence of any physical activity is ill-advised and misguided. For adults in England, the amount of physical activity carried out in a month to benefit the health of such individuals can be averaged to slightly over 20%. As individuals age, the average sessions of physical activity carried out in a month gradually reduce, putting them at a higher health risk than those involved in physical activities. Outline Brief outline of how the essay is structured This paper delves into one specific region that has been put on the spot for the threat the people are facing, especially when it comes to the aspect of physical inactivity. It also strives to bring out some of the factors that influence different characteristics of members of this population, and how their health status might be affected due to some of the mentioned factors. Factors that influence their health will also be mentioned, giving rise to the morbidity factors, and the risks to which most of them are exposed. Outcome Focus on why I chose to focus in the issues under study The aim of this paper is to examine some of the behavioral traits that exist in this population, and why the proportion of adults in the region participating in physical activity is low. In so doing, it may be possible to identify factors that may improve these numbers. Population Chosen (260 words) Describe the population you have chosen, explaining briefly why it is of interest to you. The population that is under study is London Borough of Hillingdon, where it is believed that the average proportion of individuals who participate in physical activity is less than the average of England. This region is of interest because it is said to be among the greenest cities in the world. This is amazing considering the statistics that show of the inactivity levels displayed in relation to the individuals in this society (DH 2012). One might be forced to think that living in such an environment would make people choose a healthier lifestyle, but studies indicate otherwise. Adults and children are not spending an average of 3 hours a week on physical activity, which should be a cause for alarm. Children alone, on average, should have at least 60 minutes per day of physical activities that help prevent some of the health problems that may arise (Long et al. 2009). Current statistics indicate that at least one in six deaths occurs as a result of physical inactivity, and this makes this issue as immense as smoking. It is also interesting to note that this population has perceived barriers erected by the people, which in turn, affect their choices to become active (Scarborough et al. 2011). In such a setting, individuals need a change in their lifestyle choices. In order to do so, Hillingdon Borough needs a shift in their cultural belief system. This should aid them in moving away from their sedentary lives, and choosing a much active one so as to ensure their health is on track (DH 2011). Factors that influence this population (230 words) Explore the factors that influence this population for example; geographical location, educational attainment, family, peer groups, culture, and socioeconomic factors There are different factors that may affect the functioning of society. The educational ability of the individuals present in this region may be one of the main ones. Individuals who are inactive insinuate that they lack the time to do certain things, for example; cycle, walk, or even enjoy a run, because of their current work or educational status. For individuals who work, the pressure is said to be too much to have time for physical activities during the day or night (Vina et al. 2012). Furthermore, the fact that times are changing indicate that people are now at liberty to rely more on machines than they used to. Labor reducing machinery means that people get to be more relaxed while technology takes the load off their backs. The region’s socioeconomic status forces the general population to prefer lifestyle choices that exemplify individualism (Beedie, Mann & Jimenez 2014). The possession of cars, in this case, has led to the reduction in cycling or traveling by foot to work. As these trends take a hold of their overall lifestyles, the number of inactive members of the population grows, making this a part of their culture. Children remain inactive as their parents refuse to let them go out on their own. This presents a challenge to growing children, who are facing the issue of obesity while very young (Armstrong et al. 2010). Detailed health profile of the population (230 words) Provide a detailed health profile of the population, exploring the factors that underlie the profile As compared to the health status of people in England, the health of the people in Hillingdon is mixed. The deprivation levels are lower than the average, but the life expectancy of the women in the region is higher than that of England. In the most deprived areas, however, the levels of life expectancy are 7 years lower for the men, and over 5.5 years lower for the women (PHE 2013). Sadly, over 20% of the children in this region are obese, and this is just slightly under or above 6 years. This is a higher percentage as compared to England’s percentage. In terms of physical activity, the average is worse than that of England’s average. This indicates that the rate of illness related to inactivity in this region, for example; strokes and heart failure are higher as compared to the average cases in England (HPCT 2008). These statistics indicate that there is a larger problem, especially with regards to the issue of deprivation. The population that is most affected by issues of life expectancy and mortality is the most deprived population. The least deprived population may have other worries, for example; obesity and heart illnesses, which take a toll on inactive individuals. It is my belief that such factors lead to the creation of health disparities and inequalities among the people of Hillingdon, and ultimately, England as a whole. Factors that influence the contemporary health of the population (230 words) Analyse the main factors, both past and present, which you believe influence most strongly the contemporary health of the population. There are different dynamics that have influenced the population’s health status. Lifestyle changes, which have transformed the people’s cultural beliefs, may be the main cause of the health situation (LBH 2008). During the previous labor intensive years, individuals would walk, work, and eat depending on their job descriptions. However, as times change, the need for manual labor is dwindling. This makes it harder for individuals to participate in jobs that are labor intensive. Education attainment has also paved the way for pioneers in different fields, which allows members of the population to invest in projects that are not strenuous (Pedersen & Saltin 2006). In the past, there was the presence of a strong sense of communal participation in different activities. Nowadays, everybody tends to think about their personal gratification. This is why children are not allowed to leave their homes on their own, leaving them inactive and unaware of the destructive lifestyle to which they are being exposed (CQC 2009). Presently, there has been a shift in the mentality of people, which involves believing that physical activity is not a necessary part of daily life. Unlike in the past, social exclusion has now become part of the daily routine of individuals, not only in Hillingdon, but the entire population in England. This should be explored to allow individuals to build a sense of community, thus; improving on their social health. Health needs of the population in relation to population trends (230 words) This analysis must be related to the determinants of the population’s health, indicators of the population’s risks and morbidity rates. In the case of Hillingdon Borough, different factors affect the health status of the population, especially in a dynamic environment. For starters, the social and economic status of the population might be related to the manner in which people choose to live, thus; affecting the overall outcome of the health status of the entire population (Currie & Vigna 2010). Hillingdon’s population should grow over the next few years as all cause mortality rates seem to drop as compared to previous years. Death cases involving diseases such as cancer and heart disease are plummeting according to different sources. This implies that natural growth plays a significant role in population increase. The age distribution present in the different wards is expected to vary (HPCT 2008). The population to the north may have more of the elderly people, while to the south; a younger population. The ethnic minority group and its population are bound to increase. This brings the biggest challenge to health. An increase in population for these minority groups often results in the largest health inequalities in the region, as they often have the worst health status (CQC 2009). Indicators show that lower socioeconomic factors often drive these inequalities. It is in these groups that individuals succumb to a specific type of disease, despite the region being identified as a rather affluent area as compared to the other regions in London. Determinants of the population’s health, and some indicators of its risks (230 words) Discuss the health needs of the population in relation to theories of health and population trends. In relation to the population trends, it is crucial to identify the health needs of the population. For starters, the elderly people in the area need of proper housing facilities that cater to their rising needs. If the projections are correct, it is possible for the region to face an increase in the number of dementia patients (LBH 2008). This means that early diagnosis is crucial in addressing the issue of independence, isolation, and assistive care from relevant parties. The disabled, which includes a wide array of physical and mental health issues, must also be addressed. Older people seem to be the larger part of this group and this brings on different challenges. A higher percentage of the population has been identified as having complex needs (Mackett & Brown 2011). These entail issues such as; Down’s syndrome, sensory disabilities, epilepsy, etc. Reducing the number of deaths should be a key priority for the people in the region. Life expectancy for person(s) in the boroughs should not be as low as indicated in the statistics. In order to do so, there is need to curb the deaths associated with cancer and circulatory disease. Even though progress is being made to reduce mortality, the levels of deprivation in certain areas is making this battle harder, hence; leading to premature mortality in the most deprived populations in the borough (Roger et al. 2004). External and internal factors that may influence behaviors and choices (230 words) Examine the external and internal factors that may influence the health behaviours and choices of individuals and groups that impact on the health of the population There are factors that affect the health outcomes of the population. Internally, the lifestyle and risk behaviours affect the order of life in Hillingdon. Smoking, especially among the most deprived populations, has led to an increase in the progression of circulatory and cardiovascular diseases (CQC 2009). In relation to mortality, alcohol has been attributed to over 30 deaths for men and over 8 deaths per 100,000 in both genders. Admission into hospitals due to binge drinking is presenting a challenge in the fight for a stable health platform. The issue of income among the population has led to lifestyle changes. The food consumed, the rate of work done, and the amounts of rest the people enjoy have changed. Less labor intensive work is done, and more (unhealthy) food is consumed. This leads to inefficiency when it comes to fighting off diseases that attack the population, hence; reducing the life expectancy of most people (HJSP 2009). Obesity and higher tension are some of the diseases that people in the boroughs fight against, and are among the highest in terms of numbers. Inactive lifestyles and the choices made to resort to individualistic tendencies may be the reason as to why this population is having a problem with diseases at very young ages. As the population gets older, physical activities become fewer, making it difficult to change a culture that is ever growing. Conclusion Summary The population in Hillingdon needs to make some changes to the manner in which they live their lives. It is vital for them to do so in order to reduce some of the problems they face in terms of health and culture. The average levels of inactivity are too low to guarantee changes. Children are being exposed to a pitiable culture while still very young, which is a problem for a growing society. In order to reduce the mortality of people in this region, physical activity must be given precedence over all other things. It is also vital for the population to realize the benefits of social health. A new generation must learn to accept each other without paying attention to social or economic status. Recommendations A variety of practices need to be incorporated in Hillingdon so as to improve the population’s health status. Adult education needs to be at the forefront. If adults are taught on the benefit of an active lifestyle, it becomes easier to pass this to the younger generation. The development of high-end sports facilities makes it possible to create a culture of healthy living, especially with the participation of individuals from the ages of 6-55 years. By getting children, parents, and members of society engaged and active, it is possible to increase the average active hours of all persons. These are just some of the few things that might alter the mentality that surrounds most individuals, and in turn, might guarantee a healthier population in Hillingdon. References Armstrong et al. 2010, ‘Association of mortality with high temperatures in a temperate climate: England and Wales’, Journal of Epidemiology and Health, vol 65, no. 4, pp. 340-345. Beedie, C, Mann, S & Jimenez, A 2014, ‘Community fitness center-based physical activity interventions: a brief review’, Current Sports Medicine Reports, vol 13, no. 4, pp. 267-274. 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Mackett, RL & Brown, R 2011, Transport, physical activity and health: present knowledge and the way around, Centre for Transport Studies (UC), London. Pedersen, BK & Saltin, B 2006, ‘Evidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in chronic disease’, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, vol 16, no. 1, pp. 3-63. Public Health England 2013, Health impact of physical inactivity (HIPI), Office for National Statistics, London. Roger, VL, Weston SA, Redfield MM et al. 2004, ‘Trends in heart failure incidence and survival in a community‐based population’, JAMA. Scarborough et al. 2011, ‘The economic burden of ill health due to diet, physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol and obesity in the UK’, Journal of Public Health. Suskin, N, Sheth, T, Negassa, A, et al. 2001, ‘Relationship of current and past smoking to mortality and morbidity in patients with left ventricular dysfunction’,  JACC. Vina, J, Sanchis‐Gomar, F, Martinez‐Bello, V & Gomez‐Cabrera, MC 2012, ‘Exercise acts as a drug: the pharmacological benefits of exercise’, British Journal of Pharmacology, vol 167, no. 1, pp. 1-12. Read More