Unit 14- Assignment 1
Describe lifestyle factors that have an effect on health
P1
M1 Explain the effects of identified lifestyle factors on health
Health is the state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of
disease of infirmity. There are a number of lifestyle factors that affect health such as: physical
activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, stress and diet.
Physical Activity
The recommendations for the amount of physical activity per week is at least 150 minutes (2 hours
and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week,
and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups
(legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms). This should be viewed as the minimum, but
the good news is that it doesn't have to be all done in one go, you can split it up over the week.
Greater benefits will be seen if you increase this to 40-60 minutes each day, especially for those at
risk or weight gain and associated diseases.
Moderate means that you get a little warmer and slightly out of breath - the more vigorous the
activity the greater the gains in cardiovascular health. In terms of type, it can be anything that raises
your energy expenditure above resting level, enough to expend about 200 calories, and includes
brisk walk, swimming, cycling and jogging, dancing heavy housework and gardening.
There is overwhelming evidence to prove that people who have active lifestyles are less likely to
suffer from chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease and diabetes, they are also much better
at dealing with stress. There are a number of benefits that physical activity offers everyone:
Strengthens bones
Reduces risk of chronic disease
Improves sleep
Improves body shape and burns body fat
Maintains flexibility & suppleness
Reduces anxiety
Boosts immune system
Improves concentration
Improves posture
Improves cardiorespiratory fitness
Relieves stress
Boosts vitality and energy levels
Physical activity also provides a number of social and economic benefits including: improves social
skills, reduces isolation, reduces health costs and enhances productivity. When thinking about the
health and well-being of the nation, there are wider social and economic benefits to an active
, lifestyle. At an individual level you can examine the short-and long-term benefits of physical activity
in maintaining health and well-being:
fun and enjoyment
the body is relaxed and revitalised
exercise boosts self-esteem and confidence
improves concentration
lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke
lowers body weight & body fat
risk of type 2 diabetes is lowered
lowers the risks of certain types of cancer
lowers the risk of osteoporosis
relieves arthritic pain
digestion is improved
maintains the effectiveness of the body's systems
As well as the physiological benefits of exercise we can also look at the psychological benefits.
Studies have been shown that exercise brings about short- and long-term psychological benefits to
health and well-being such as:
Relieves stress
Reduces anxiety
Reduced depression
Improved mood
Improved self esteem and body image
Improved concentration
Physical activity enhances mood, reduces anxiety and raises self-esteem and confidence. surveys
suggest that physically active people feel happier with life; even single bouts of activity can improve
mood and energy. But for physical activity or exercise to have optimal benefits it is required to be
current and continued
Alcohol Consumption
The Chief Medical Officers' guideline about alcohol consumption for both men and women states
that:
To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a
week on a regular basis
If you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it's best to spread your drinking evenly
over three or more days. If you have one or two heavy drinking episodes a week, you
increase your risk of long-term illness and injury
The risk of developing a range of health problems (including cancers of the mouth, throat
and breast) increases the more you drink on a regular basis
If you wish to cut down the amount you drink, a good way to help achieve this is to have
several drink-free days a week
There are a number of risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption such as: hypertension,
cirrhosis, stroke and depression.
Describe lifestyle factors that have an effect on health
P1
M1 Explain the effects of identified lifestyle factors on health
Health is the state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of
disease of infirmity. There are a number of lifestyle factors that affect health such as: physical
activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, stress and diet.
Physical Activity
The recommendations for the amount of physical activity per week is at least 150 minutes (2 hours
and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week,
and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups
(legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms). This should be viewed as the minimum, but
the good news is that it doesn't have to be all done in one go, you can split it up over the week.
Greater benefits will be seen if you increase this to 40-60 minutes each day, especially for those at
risk or weight gain and associated diseases.
Moderate means that you get a little warmer and slightly out of breath - the more vigorous the
activity the greater the gains in cardiovascular health. In terms of type, it can be anything that raises
your energy expenditure above resting level, enough to expend about 200 calories, and includes
brisk walk, swimming, cycling and jogging, dancing heavy housework and gardening.
There is overwhelming evidence to prove that people who have active lifestyles are less likely to
suffer from chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease and diabetes, they are also much better
at dealing with stress. There are a number of benefits that physical activity offers everyone:
Strengthens bones
Reduces risk of chronic disease
Improves sleep
Improves body shape and burns body fat
Maintains flexibility & suppleness
Reduces anxiety
Boosts immune system
Improves concentration
Improves posture
Improves cardiorespiratory fitness
Relieves stress
Boosts vitality and energy levels
Physical activity also provides a number of social and economic benefits including: improves social
skills, reduces isolation, reduces health costs and enhances productivity. When thinking about the
health and well-being of the nation, there are wider social and economic benefits to an active
, lifestyle. At an individual level you can examine the short-and long-term benefits of physical activity
in maintaining health and well-being:
fun and enjoyment
the body is relaxed and revitalised
exercise boosts self-esteem and confidence
improves concentration
lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke
lowers body weight & body fat
risk of type 2 diabetes is lowered
lowers the risks of certain types of cancer
lowers the risk of osteoporosis
relieves arthritic pain
digestion is improved
maintains the effectiveness of the body's systems
As well as the physiological benefits of exercise we can also look at the psychological benefits.
Studies have been shown that exercise brings about short- and long-term psychological benefits to
health and well-being such as:
Relieves stress
Reduces anxiety
Reduced depression
Improved mood
Improved self esteem and body image
Improved concentration
Physical activity enhances mood, reduces anxiety and raises self-esteem and confidence. surveys
suggest that physically active people feel happier with life; even single bouts of activity can improve
mood and energy. But for physical activity or exercise to have optimal benefits it is required to be
current and continued
Alcohol Consumption
The Chief Medical Officers' guideline about alcohol consumption for both men and women states
that:
To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a
week on a regular basis
If you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it's best to spread your drinking evenly
over three or more days. If you have one or two heavy drinking episodes a week, you
increase your risk of long-term illness and injury
The risk of developing a range of health problems (including cancers of the mouth, throat
and breast) increases the more you drink on a regular basis
If you wish to cut down the amount you drink, a good way to help achieve this is to have
several drink-free days a week
There are a number of risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption such as: hypertension,
cirrhosis, stroke and depression.
