Health Psychology – “Lifestyle Assessment for Better Health
Your paper in this class will focus on the assessment of your own lifestyle and recommended changes for better health. This health analysis will cover the major areas covered in this class. You may make use of inventories and tests discovered while reading and studying for this class and any actual medical tests you have had in the past year. The purpose of this is to increase your awareness of your own health lifestyle and ways that it could be improved. There will be two major components — a focus on general assessment measures (including your personal assessment) along with recommendations for personal lifestyle changes. In the Assessment section you need to find definitions, assessment tools, questionnaires, and/or guidelines that demonstrate understanding of the concepts. You are to write at least a 1200 word paper that is worth 15% of your grade. Please use APA format and cite at least four (4) sources, in addition to your textbook. There are guidelines on using APA format and citing sources posted in Student Resources for you.
Please ensure that the following topics are covered in your paper:
Assessment Measures
Diet
Exercise
Job and personal stress management
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Risk factors for cancer, diabetes and other illnesses
Family history and social support
Self-Esteem, sense of control and other psychological issues
Personal status and Recommendations For Personal Lifestyle Changes
Use a 10 or 12 pt Arial or Times New Roman Font
Double-space paper
Minimum of 1200 words
Minimum of four (4) cited sources
Use APA format and parenthetical citations right after cited material (See below)
Make sure your name is on your paper
Assignment Requirements (Use as a checklist):Extra pointers:Thesis statements are at the end of the introduction paragraph and outline the key points that the rest of the paper will cover. This helps organize your work as you include a separate paragraph for each of the key points from your thesis in the body of your paper. Here are some good sources to help you – https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/ andhttp://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/
Introduction:
The objective of this paper is to conduct a lifestyle assessment to enhance awareness of personal health lifestyle and ways it could be improved. This analysis will include a general assessment of measures including personal assessment as well as recommendations for personal lifestyle changes. The assessment will cover several major areas, including diet, exercise, stress management, risk factors for various illnesses, family history and social support, and self-esteem. The paper will provide a review of assessment measures, questionnaires, and guidelines that illustrate an understanding of these concepts.
Assessment Measures:
In assessing lifestyle measures, several tools and techniques can be used. One tool is the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) questionnaire. This questionnaire is designed to identify a person’s health risks, including the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The HRA evaluates lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, diet, and stress levels. The questionnaire provides recommendations for lifestyle changes based on the individual’s risk factors.
Another tool is the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), which assesses a person’s diet by evaluating their typical food and beverage intake over a specified period. The FFQ provides information on calorie and nutrient intake and can help identify areas where dietary changes may be necessary.
Exercise:
Physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week. Additionally, adults should engage in muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week.
Job and Personal Stress Management:
Stress is a part of everyday life, and it is essential to find healthy ways to manage it. Job-related stress can be managed by setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and seeking support from colleagues. Personal stress can be managed by engaging in activities such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and relaxation techniques.
Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, Diabetes and Other Illnesses:
Several risk factors increase the likelihood of developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. Some of these risk factors include smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. It is essential to address these risk factors through lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.
Family History and Social Support:
Family history plays a significant role in predicting a person’s risk for developing chronic diseases. Knowing one’s family history can help individuals take preventive measures to reduce their risk. Social support is also critical in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Support from family and friends can provide motivation and encouragement to maintain healthy behaviors.
Self-Esteem, Sense of Control, and Other Psychological Issues:
Psychological factors such as self-esteem and sense of control can also impact a person’s health. Poor self-esteem and a lack of control can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as overeating and smoking. Addressing these psychological factors can help individuals adopt healthy behaviors and maintain them over time.
Personal Status and Recommendations for Personal Lifestyle Changes:
Based on the assessment measures and Assessments conducted, there are several recommendations for personal lifestyle changes. Improvements in diet, physical activity, stress management, and risk factors can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases. The adoption of healthy behaviors can lead to improved self-esteem, better control, and overall psychological well-being. It is also essential to seek social support and maintain a positive attitude toward making healthy changes.
Conclusion:
The lifestyle assessment conducted has provided insight into personal health lifestyle and areas where improvements can be made. The assessment of various measures such as diet, exercise, stress management, risk factors, family history, and psychological factors has highlighted the importance of healthy behaviors in reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases.
