Health-Risk Behaviour-2023

Health-Risk Behaviour

Health Behaviour

  • Kasl and Cobb (1966) defined three types of health-related behaviours:

    • Health behaviour: aimed to prevent disease (e.g., eating a healthy diet).

    • Illness behaviour: aimed to seek remedy (e.g., going to the doctor).

    • Sick role behaviour: any activity aimed to get well (e.g., taking prescribed medication, resting).

Health Behaviour (Matarazzo, 1984)

  • Defined in terms of:

    • Health-impairing habits (behavioural pathogens): e.g., smoking, high fat diet.

    • Health protective behaviours (behavioural immunogens): e.g., attending a health check.

Risk

  • Risk: The probability that a specific action or exposure will lead to a negative health outcome.

    • Example: Having sex without a condom may lead to pregnancy or acquiring an STI.

  • Risk behaviours: Increase likelihood of negative health outcomes (now or in the future).

    • Example: Excessive alcohol use.

Risk Conditions and Factors

  • Risk conditions: Non-behaviours contributing to diseases, disability or death.

    • Example: Overweight/obesity linked to diet and exercise.

  • Risk factors: Individual attributes increasing likelihood of harmful behaviours.

    • Example: Negative peer attitudes towards condom use as a risk factor for unprotected sex.

Importance of Understanding Health-Risk Behaviours

  • Epidemiological and clinical studies associate specific behaviours with major illnesses (e.g., heart disease, cancer).

  • Goal of health promotion: Prevent engagement in risk behaviours.

  • Understanding psychological and social factors is crucial for prevention strategies targeting:

    • Uptake and maintenance of risk behaviours.

    • Avoidance of health-enhancing or preventive behaviours.

Health-Risk Behaviours

  • Key issues include:

    • Diet issues.

    • Physical inactivity.

    • Alcohol consumption.

    • Smoking.

    • Sexual behaviour.

  • Consequences of these behaviours include various health complications.

Obesity

  • Characterized by increased weight and BMI linked to noncommunicable diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease).

  • Defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation presenting a health risk.

  • Worldwide, obesity has nearly tripled since 1975.

    • Overweight and obesity rising in low/middle-income countries (especially urban).

  • Over 1 billion people globally are obese: 650 million adults, 340 million adolescents, and 39 million children.

Obesity Definitions and Prevention

  • WHO Definitions:

    • Overweight: BMI ≥ 25.

    • Obesity: BMI ≥ 30.

  • Obesity impacts multiple body systems and is preventable.

  • Regular physical activity promotes weight loss and helps prevent obesity-related issues.

  • Many adults with obesity do not meet public health activity guidelines.

Obesity: World & US Statistics

  • 2016 WHO report: 1.9 billion adults overweight, 650 million obese.

  • US prevalence: Obesity increased from 30.5% in 1999 to 42.4% in 2017.

  • Chronic illnesses from obesity (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease) are leading causes of death in the US.

  • Cost of obesity (2008): $147 billion, $1,429 higher than non-obese patients.

Obesity: Jamaica

  • Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey:

    • Prevalence of obesity: 28.6%

    • Overweight: 53.8%

    • Increased waist circumference (central obesity): 43.7%

    • Higher prevalence in women than men.

Urban vs Rural Obesity in Jamaica

  • No urban-rural differences in obesity and central obesity prevalence.

  • Overweight was higher in urban areas (56.9%) than rural areas (50.9%).

  • Highest overweight prevalence in the 45–54 age group (69.7%).

  • Obesity most prevalent in the 35–44 age group.

Alcohol Consumption

  • Alcohol is the second most used psychoactive substance globally.

  • Classified as a CNS depressant.

  • Effects at different doses and chronic consumption include various health issues.

Alcohol-Related Outcomes

  • Health impacts of alcohol consumption include:

    • Liver cirrhosis.

    • Cancers (e.g., esophagus, larynx).

    • Alcohol dependence.

    • Chronic liver diseases.

    • Liver cancer.

Factors Influencing Alcohol Consumption

  • Examine reasons for youth drinking excessively, health effects of red wine, and causes of alcoholism.

Smoking

  • Millions die annually from smoking-related illnesses.

  • Tobacco products contain carcinogenic elements contributing significantly to:

    • 30% of coronary heart disease cases.

    • 75% of cancers (90% lung cancer).

    • 80% of chronic obstructive airway disease cases.

Smoking Effects

  • Carbon monoxide: Reduces oxygen in blood, affecting heart health.

  • Nicotine: Raises heart rate and blood pressure, increasing thrombosis risk.

Global Tobacco Use Trends

  • Global prevalence of tobacco use shown to be declining across age groups.

Causes of Smoking Initiation

  • Factors influencing smoking initiation:

    • Modelling, social learning, reinforcement.

    • Social pressures, weight control, risk-taking behaviours.

    • Health cognitions and stress.

Risky Sexual Behaviour

  • Discuss consequences of risky sexual behaviours, common STIs among college students, and barriers to condom use.