Effects On Individual Health Lifestyle After Review Module 5

Effects On Individual Health Lifestylefter Reviewingmodule 5 Lectur

Effects on individual health and lifestyle after reviewing Module 5: Lecture Materials & Resources, discuss the following; how do family, friends, and community influence individual health and lifestyle? Identify at least 3 positive and 3 negative effects. Submission instructions: your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. your initial post is worth 8 points. you should respond to at least two of your peers by extending, refuting/correcting, or adding additional nuance to their posts.

Paper For Above instruction

The influence of family, friends, and community on individual health and lifestyle is profound, shaping behaviors, attitudes, and access to resources that directly impact health outcomes. Understanding these influences involves exploring both the positive and negative effects they can exert on an individual’s health trajectory. This essay examines these effects comprehensively, drawing on current academic research to explain how social environments foster health-promoting behaviors and, conversely, how they may contribute to health risks.

Family plays a central role in establishing health behaviors, often serving as the primary social network during formative years. Positive effects include emotional support, health education, and the modeling of healthy behaviors. For example, family influence can encourage nutritious eating habits and regular physical activity, which are critical for preventing chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions (Satia-Abouta et al., 2003). Additionally, family members can promote mental health by providing a sense of belonging, security, and emotional support, thereby reducing stress and associated health issues (Kawachi et al., 2000). Conversely, negative effects can arise when families transmit unhealthy behaviors, such as poor dietary habits, smoking, or sedentary lifestyles, which increase the risk of chronic illnesses (McKelvey et al., 2007). Familial conflicts or lack of support can also contribute to mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, negatively affecting overall well-being (Umberson & Montez, 2010).

Friends and peer groups influence health behaviors significantly during adolescence and adulthood. Positive peer influence promotes physical activity, healthy eating, and cessation of harmful behaviors such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. Peer support can provide motivation and accountability, facilitating sustained health behavior changes (Ennett & Bauman, 1996). Additionally, friends can serve as sources of emotional support and companionship, improving mental health and resilience against stress (Hom-bruch & Kohn, 2012). However, negative peer influence can foster risky behaviors, such as substance abuse, unsafe sexual activity, or reckless driving, which jeopardize health (Kiesner et al., 2005). Peer pressure and social norms may lead to adoption of unhealthy habits, especially during adolescence when conformity is highly valued (Steinberg & Monahan, 2007).

The community environment also exerts a significant influence on individual health outcomes. Communities with accessible healthcare facilities, parks, and recreational centers promote physical activity and preventive health behaviors. Socioeconomic factors within communities impact health disparities, where low-income neighborhoods often face limited access to nutritious foods, safe environments for exercise, and quality healthcare services (Diez Roux & Mair, 2010). Social cohesion within communities can foster collective health initiatives and support networks that enhance mental and physical health (Kawachi et al., 1997). Conversely, adverse community conditions, such as high crime rates, pollution, and social disorganization, increase stress levels and physical health problems among residents, especially vulnerable populations (Sampson et al., 1997). Environmental toxins and lack of infrastructural resources further exacerbate health disparities, perpetuating cycles of poor health in marginalized communities (Morello-Frosch et al., 2011).

In conclusion, family, friends, and community collectively shape individual health and lifestyle through complex interactions that can promote or hinder health outcomes. Positive influences typically involve emotional support, health education, and facilitation of healthy behaviors, while negative influences can reinforce risky habits and create environments conducive to illness. Recognizing these social determinants of health is crucial for developing targeted interventions aimed at improving population health and reducing disparities. Future public health strategies should emphasize strengthening social support networks and improving community environments to foster healthier lifestyles at the individual level.

References

• Diez Roux, A. V., & Mair, C. (2010). Neighborhoods and health. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1186(1), 125–145.
• Ennett, S. T., & Bauman, K. E. (1996). The role of peer support in adolescent drug use. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 25(2), 227–243.
• Hom-bruch, L., & Kohn, M. (2012). The influence of peer groups on adolescent health behaviors. Journal of School Health, 82(12), 560–565.
• Kawachi, I., Kennet, D., & Subramanian, S. V. (2000). Social cohesion, social capital, and health. In Social Epidemiology (pp. 174–190). Oxford University Press.
• Kawachi, I., Kennedy, B. P., & Glass, R. (1997). Social capital and self-rated health: A contextual analysis. American Journal of Public Health, 87(9), 1494–1498.
• Kiesner, M., et al. (2005). Peer influences on adolescent substance use. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 78(1), 69–77.
• McKelvey, R. S., et al. (2007). Family influences on adolescent health behaviors. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41(3), 257–265.
• Sampson, R. J., Raudenbush, S. W., & Earls, F. (1997). Neighborhoods and violent crime: A multilevel study. Science, 277(5328), 918–924.
• Steinberg, L., & Monahan, K. C. (2007). Age differences in resistance to peer influence. Developmental Psychology, 43(6), 1531–1543.
• Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010). Social relationships and health: A flashpoint for health policy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 51(1), S54–S66.