Behaviors And Lifestyles Related To Harris County: Physical Activities (Essay Sample)

Behaviors and Lifestyles Related to Harris County Student Name: Course: Professor: Date: 1. Physical activities Physical activity is a lifestyle choice that has one of the greatest impacts on health. The benefits of physical activity include fitness and weight control. These two benefits help in decreasing the risk of chronic diseases. The residents of Harris County face barriers such as high temperatures and reclining layout when engaging in physical activities. The Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Healthy People 2020 acknowledged that environmental barriers discouraged many residents in the county from engaging in physical activities. (Statistics) Obese children are most likely to remain obese as adults. It is therefore important for communities to increase opportunities for children to participate in physical activities. In Harris County, much effort is being put in school physical education. The county emphasizes that regular physical activities for both the young and old contribute to improved muscular fitness, cardiorespiratory, bone health, body composition and reduced symptoms of depression. 2. Healthy eating and food quality To reduce the risk of health conditions such as some cancers, type 2 diabetes, and heart diseases, one should consume nutrient-dense, healthy foods. Many adults and children in Harris County do not meet the recommendations for fruit and vegetable. According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the required consumption of vegetables and fruits should be between 5 and 13 servings. (Human, 2010) However, the number of calories consumed daily, level of activity and weight of an individual also determine the level of consumption required. Refined grains, fats and oils are what make up most of the bulk of calories. Cost, convenience, availability limit the access to nutritious foods. Harris County experiences economic disparities since more than 500,000 people across the county are still receiving federal food assistance. (Services, 2017) Food insecurity is an issue that has resulted in poor health among adults and children in the county. Changes in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) have seen an increase in access to vegetables, fruits, and other healthy foods. However, additional education on resources and nutrition is necessary for bolstering positive behavior change in food choices. 3. Substance Abuse Smoking contributes to significant financial and health problems in the US. The Centers for Disease Control reports 1 in 5 deaths because of active and passive smoking. In Harris County, about 17% of adults are smokers. (Prevention, 2016)Early intervention and education on the effects of cigarette smoking are particularly important in making early preventions due to the difficulty of smoking cessation. Alcohol abuse is the most common among adults and even teenagers. It is associated with medical complications such as cardiovascular disease and liver cirrhosis. It also has negative impacts on the mental well-being of an individual as well as the safety of the community. Binge drinking is widely practiced in Harris County. Almost a quarter of high school students binge drink. Over the last two decades, there have been several cases of unintentional drug overdose deaths as well as an increased number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. Therefore, it is crucial for the county to have a focused education on the risks related to substance abuse. 4. Sexual Activity In 2012, there were approximately 1.4 million national cases of chlamydia reported to the Center for Disease Control. This was the largest number of cases ever reported. Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are the largest group affected by STDs. Reckless sexual activities could result in complicated teen pregnancy, low birth weight, and lifelong diseases, which are untreatable. In Harris County, Chlamydia is the most common STD. Rates continue to remain high for the cases of gonorrhea among females between 15 and 19 even though the rates of such infection have decreased among young adults. The cases of syphilis have also increased among adolescents and young adults who are mostly male. (Texas Depart...