Research project pre-master
Graded academic skills assignment:
Research project Proposal form
Steffie Coolen – 2135425
Date: October 11, 2024
1) General introduction (context and importance of project) and problem statement
Context:
People's health in Europe has been worsening in the past couple of years. There has been a
rise in the prevalence of chronic health conditions (Kerai, 2022). In 2019, 67,8% of the
European population over 18 reported that their health was sufficient. Almost 1 in 10
(8,8%) of the population perceived their health as bad (Eurostat, 2020). Health problems
like (childhood) obesity or diabetes have been becoming major global health concerns over
the past couple of years, and are still increasing (Calvert et al., 2020). Our health is the
product of our lifestyle choices that are made in our everyday life, (eating/ physical
activity/smoking/ drinking alcohol) (Ahmedet al.,2022). According to the World Health
Organisation, poor health choices can be linked to chronic and acute illnesses as well as
higher mortality rates now or in later life (Koulierakis et al., 2022; Calvertet al.,2020). To
promote healthy behaviors, we first need to understand the reasons why people have certain
lifestyle choices, so we can improve these behaviors and minimize long-term negative
health outcomes. To make a real difference the interventions should be in early ages
because these negative behaviors will continue in later adult life. This is why adolescence
can be seen as an important time to develop and maintain healthy lifestyle choices (Calvert
et al., 2020).
Individuals’ lifestyles can be influenced because of their system, socioeconomic status,
living environments, culture/religion, people in their society, genetic factors, and family
status (Ahmed et al., 2022; Velze et al., 2020; Calvert et al., 2020; Koulierakis et al., 2022).
These influences can make a difference between a life expectancy of 3,3 years and a
healthy life expectancy of almost 11 years. if often concerns one or more chronic conditions
(Velze et al., 2020).
Weber and Durkheim predicted that individuals who belong to religion will be declining,
but this is not the case in our current society. The main beliefs in Europe are the Christian
and Islamic faiths (Horwarth et al., 2012). Religions can be seen as different because of
their values, norms, and habits. The religious systems maintain certain ways of living in
citizens to imply their ideals; Muslims are not allowed to drink alcohol because this is not
halal. If individuals in the involved society do not accept this lifestyle, they threaten the
values of the system (Ahmed et al., 2022). This affects the lifestyle choices individuals
from different religions make.
There is evidence that individuals who live in areas that are characterized by environmental
and socioeconomic setbacks tend to have unhealthy lifestyle choices, because of this there
is reason to consider that people who do not have access to or the ability to afford care have
unhealthy lifestyle choices (Koulierakis et al., 2022). Different areas in Europe have begun
, to report that they cannot have access to healthcare because it is too expensive, especially
among low-income, the elderly, and the unemployed. Research shows that there is an effect
on the health-seeking behavior of citizens who need to pay more out of their pocket
(Madureira-Lima et al., 2018). Therefore, this research will look what the relationship
between lifestyle choices and access and ability to afford care.
Problem statement:
In our society lifestyle factors play a crucial role in shaping individuals’ health. Research
has shown that these choices have big impacts on our health (Calvert et al., 2020).
Additionally, religion and socioeconomic factors to be able to afford or have access to care
may influence lifestyle behaviors and decisions in different ways. However, there is not
much understanding of how these variables affect health outcomes and our daily lifestyle
choices. This research looks at the relationship between lifestyle choices and health and
investigates the influence of religion and access and ability to care on lifestyle choices. To
promote better health outcomes, it is important to understand these connections.
2) Scientific relevance (this should be written out in complete sentences and not as a chart)
Recent studies have been more focused on the influences of gender factors, socioeconomic
status, living environments, culture, age, and family status as influences on lifestyle choices
(Ahmed et al., 2022; Velze et al., 2020; Calvert et al., 2020; Koulierakis et al., 2022).
However, these studies do not look very deeply into the influences that religion has on
lifestyle factors (Horwarth et al., 2012; Ahmed et al., 2022). The has been a lot of research
on the socioeconomic status of people in relation with lifestyle factors but not specific
about the access and ability to afford care (Madureira-Lima et al., 2018). Therefore, more
research is needed to understand these barriers and influences on lifestyle factors and the
relationship between these lifestyle factors and the health of these people. Also, almost all
the studies are done in one or a few countries but not in the continent of Europe, this
research will not focus on one specific nation or country but look at the broader
perspective. This research will look at recent data from 2023.
3) Societal relevance
The people's health in Europe has been decreasing in the past couple of years (Kerai, 2022).
Lifestyle choices are a big influence on the health of people, unhealthy lifestyle choices can
increase the risk of chronic sickness (Calvert et al., 2020). Lifestyle choices are the choices
you make every day (Ahmed et al., 2022). Previous research shows that individuals know
what health behaviors are (Calvert et al., 2020). It is crucial to understand why adults make
unhealthy choices to improve these behaviors to minimize long-term negative health
outcomes (Calvert et al., 2020). For individuals to follow lifestyle advice it is important to
identify what the determinates of these lifestyle choices are (Koulierakis et al.,
2022). Previous research has already shown that it is better to move interventions from a
traditional approach to a more individual lifestyle/behavior modification (Loannou et al.,
2012). Because of this research, there will be a better understanding of what the variables
of religion and socioeconomic status to afford care will mean. And the main differences
between lifestyle choices and health problems there are in Europe. This can be used to
Graded academic skills assignment:
Research project Proposal form
Steffie Coolen – 2135425
Date: October 11, 2024
1) General introduction (context and importance of project) and problem statement
Context:
People's health in Europe has been worsening in the past couple of years. There has been a
rise in the prevalence of chronic health conditions (Kerai, 2022). In 2019, 67,8% of the
European population over 18 reported that their health was sufficient. Almost 1 in 10
(8,8%) of the population perceived their health as bad (Eurostat, 2020). Health problems
like (childhood) obesity or diabetes have been becoming major global health concerns over
the past couple of years, and are still increasing (Calvert et al., 2020). Our health is the
product of our lifestyle choices that are made in our everyday life, (eating/ physical
activity/smoking/ drinking alcohol) (Ahmedet al.,2022). According to the World Health
Organisation, poor health choices can be linked to chronic and acute illnesses as well as
higher mortality rates now or in later life (Koulierakis et al., 2022; Calvertet al.,2020). To
promote healthy behaviors, we first need to understand the reasons why people have certain
lifestyle choices, so we can improve these behaviors and minimize long-term negative
health outcomes. To make a real difference the interventions should be in early ages
because these negative behaviors will continue in later adult life. This is why adolescence
can be seen as an important time to develop and maintain healthy lifestyle choices (Calvert
et al., 2020).
Individuals’ lifestyles can be influenced because of their system, socioeconomic status,
living environments, culture/religion, people in their society, genetic factors, and family
status (Ahmed et al., 2022; Velze et al., 2020; Calvert et al., 2020; Koulierakis et al., 2022).
These influences can make a difference between a life expectancy of 3,3 years and a
healthy life expectancy of almost 11 years. if often concerns one or more chronic conditions
(Velze et al., 2020).
Weber and Durkheim predicted that individuals who belong to religion will be declining,
but this is not the case in our current society. The main beliefs in Europe are the Christian
and Islamic faiths (Horwarth et al., 2012). Religions can be seen as different because of
their values, norms, and habits. The religious systems maintain certain ways of living in
citizens to imply their ideals; Muslims are not allowed to drink alcohol because this is not
halal. If individuals in the involved society do not accept this lifestyle, they threaten the
values of the system (Ahmed et al., 2022). This affects the lifestyle choices individuals
from different religions make.
There is evidence that individuals who live in areas that are characterized by environmental
and socioeconomic setbacks tend to have unhealthy lifestyle choices, because of this there
is reason to consider that people who do not have access to or the ability to afford care have
unhealthy lifestyle choices (Koulierakis et al., 2022). Different areas in Europe have begun
, to report that they cannot have access to healthcare because it is too expensive, especially
among low-income, the elderly, and the unemployed. Research shows that there is an effect
on the health-seeking behavior of citizens who need to pay more out of their pocket
(Madureira-Lima et al., 2018). Therefore, this research will look what the relationship
between lifestyle choices and access and ability to afford care.
Problem statement:
In our society lifestyle factors play a crucial role in shaping individuals’ health. Research
has shown that these choices have big impacts on our health (Calvert et al., 2020).
Additionally, religion and socioeconomic factors to be able to afford or have access to care
may influence lifestyle behaviors and decisions in different ways. However, there is not
much understanding of how these variables affect health outcomes and our daily lifestyle
choices. This research looks at the relationship between lifestyle choices and health and
investigates the influence of religion and access and ability to care on lifestyle choices. To
promote better health outcomes, it is important to understand these connections.
2) Scientific relevance (this should be written out in complete sentences and not as a chart)
Recent studies have been more focused on the influences of gender factors, socioeconomic
status, living environments, culture, age, and family status as influences on lifestyle choices
(Ahmed et al., 2022; Velze et al., 2020; Calvert et al., 2020; Koulierakis et al., 2022).
However, these studies do not look very deeply into the influences that religion has on
lifestyle factors (Horwarth et al., 2012; Ahmed et al., 2022). The has been a lot of research
on the socioeconomic status of people in relation with lifestyle factors but not specific
about the access and ability to afford care (Madureira-Lima et al., 2018). Therefore, more
research is needed to understand these barriers and influences on lifestyle factors and the
relationship between these lifestyle factors and the health of these people. Also, almost all
the studies are done in one or a few countries but not in the continent of Europe, this
research will not focus on one specific nation or country but look at the broader
perspective. This research will look at recent data from 2023.
3) Societal relevance
The people's health in Europe has been decreasing in the past couple of years (Kerai, 2022).
Lifestyle choices are a big influence on the health of people, unhealthy lifestyle choices can
increase the risk of chronic sickness (Calvert et al., 2020). Lifestyle choices are the choices
you make every day (Ahmed et al., 2022). Previous research shows that individuals know
what health behaviors are (Calvert et al., 2020). It is crucial to understand why adults make
unhealthy choices to improve these behaviors to minimize long-term negative health
outcomes (Calvert et al., 2020). For individuals to follow lifestyle advice it is important to
identify what the determinates of these lifestyle choices are (Koulierakis et al.,
2022). Previous research has already shown that it is better to move interventions from a
traditional approach to a more individual lifestyle/behavior modification (Loannou et al.,
2012). Because of this research, there will be a better understanding of what the variables
of religion and socioeconomic status to afford care will mean. And the main differences
between lifestyle choices and health problems there are in Europe. This can be used to
