6th-Chapter 1: Lesson 1.2 Recognizing Factors That Affect Health and Wellness

Genetic Factors

relate to your genes. Your are present in every cell in your body. They contain the blueprint for the of your cells. Genes direct how you grow and develop, influence your personality, and affect your health. have 20,000 to 25,000 genes, which are composed of a chemical often referred to as DNA.

Located in a cell’s , genes are bundled in packages called (Figure 1.7). Humans inherit half of their from each biological parent. The unique combination of genes from your parents determines many of your characteristics. For example, your nose might be shaped like one parent’s nose. You and one parent may both have red, wavy hair. Perhaps you have blue eyes like your parents.

The genes you receive from your parents can affect your by putting you at risk for developing certain diseases, such as . In this way, your family influences your health. To determine a person’s genetic risk factors for developing a disease, doctors study a person’s family history, the record of disease within a family. are aspects of people’s lives that increase the chance of a disease, injury, or decline in health. Although you cannot change the genes you receive, there are actions you can take to reduce the risk factors for developing linked diseases and disorders.

The first step is to learn about your family’s history of diseases. Do you have a family history of , , or ? Ask your biological relatives for information. Then, learn about the risk factors linked to the diseases that run in your family. For example, leading an and smoking are both risk factors for developing heart disease.

Environmental Factors

concern your environment. Your environment includes the , , or that surround you. Every environment has risk factors that can affect health and wellness. The more you are exposed to risk factors within your environment, the more likely those factors are to reduce your level of physical and mental health and wellness. Every environment also has protective factors. are aspects of people’s lives that reduce risk and increase the likelihood of good health. Figure 1.8 shows examples of environmental protective and risk factors.

Physical Environment

Your consists of the places where you spend your time, such as your , , or . Physical environment also consists of the region in which you and your family live, the air you breathe, and the water you drink.

Risk factors within your physical environment differ from individual to individual, family to family, and community to community. Some may include weather conditions, pollution, , unsafe drinking water, and other . Certain hazards may depend on the policies at your school or in your community. To reduce the risk factors in your physical environment, you must first identify any hazards and unsafe conditions. Then, you can develop a plan of action to make your environment a safer place.

Social Environment

The people around you make up your . Your social environment may include family , friends, peers (people similar in age to you), , coaches, and . The people you interact with on social media sites are part of your social environment, too.

Your (the beliefs, values, customs, and arts of a group of people) and are also part of your social environment. The and behaviors of your social group affect your health and wellness. Cultural practices that may affect your health and wellness are shown in Figure 1.9.

The in your social environment depend on the practices and behaviors of those in your group and their influences on you. If your parents practice healthy eating habits, you are more likely to practice them as well. If your friends and pressure you to do so, your risk of engaging in these harmful behaviors increases, too. Following are two ways to help reduce the within your social environment:

• maintain healthy relationships with others

• focus on engaging in healthy behaviors

Economic Environment

Your includes your family’s and community’s level of education, income, and resources. For example, education improves knowledge about the importance of and . Scientists have found that college graduates in the United States are less likely to experience overweight and obesity. Both of these conditions are related to nutrition and physical activity. The connection between education and health also relates to income. People with more education tend to earn more money from full-time jobs. With more money, people are better able to pay for , , and that promote health.

Name the three types of environments that can affect a person’s health and wellness.

1.

2.

3.

Lifestyle Factors

The way you choose to live your life can greatly affect your . For example, what you choose to eat and drink affects your health. How active or inactive you are makes a difference in your level of health, too. How much sleep you get each night can also have an impact on your health and wellness. Engaging in , such as drinking, smoking, or doing drugs, can reduce your level of health and wellness. Texting while driving is also an example of a risky behavior that can be a hazard to your health.

Some behaviors have an immediate impact on health and wellness. If you did not get enough sleep last night, you may and have trouble focusing. Other behaviors have both short-term and long-term effects. is just one example. Spending too much time in the sun can result in the short-term effect of sunburn. Regularly spending too much time in the sun without using sunscreen can increase your risk of developing .

Many of the you make and behaviors you develop begin in childhood and adolescence. Oftentimes, these behaviors continue into adulthood and can affect your health for years to come. If you have an inactive lifestyle as a child, you are more likely to become as an adult. Inactive adults have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease.

Parents and culture often influence and that begin in childhood and adolescence. If your parents stay up late on a regular basis, you are more likely to stay up late as well. If your culture does not believe in taking , you will likely feel the same way. Your parents and culture may be a strong influence on you when you are young.

Making choices and practicing healthy behaviors promote your personal health and wellness today and in the future. Even if you do not make healthy now, you have the power to change your behavior and take charge of your health and wellness.