M1D1: Behavior and HealthPlease refer to the attached files containing more detailed information and instructions.

There are four separate parts with one question for each part. Answer each ensuring to separate accordingly. Part 1 needs to be completed first; time will be extended for parts 2-4.

MIND, BODY AND HEALTH

M1D1: Behavior and Health

General Information:

Textbook:

Brehm, B. (2014). Psychology of Health and Fitness. Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis.

MODULE NOTES:

Module 1: The Mind-Body Connection

Introduction:

In this course we will examine the connections between behaviors and health outcomes. We will learn how our daily decisions affect our health. And how we as health professionals can provide guidance for individuals needing to improve their health through psychological and behavior changes. In addition, we will discuss the relationships between stress, physical activity, eating behaviors, and chronic pain.

During this module, we will start making connections between behavior and health. There are many factors that influence our health. In module 1, we will look at how one’s culture, diversity and socioeconomic background influences our views of health as well as our health behaviors. We will also examine various health problems and see how many of them are related to lifestyle choices. You may be surprised to learn that even cancer is highly connected with lifestyle choices. We will also examine the top causes of death and see how many of them are related to lifestyle choices. You may be surprised to learn that even cancer is highly connected with lifestyle choices.

Your readings will introduce you to these concepts and will demonstrate how our individual makeup can impact our health. You will learn about the connection between emotional states and heart disease.

In the forum, we will discuss your personal experience with behavioral decisions and how they affected your health. We will also identify and discuss the behaviors that tend to have the greatest impact on health.

Module 1 Notes

Introduction to Mind, Body, and Health

As we begin our study of Mind, Body, and Health, we need to be aware of the connection between behavioral decision, lifestyle choices, and common medical conditions.

Throughout the course, we will attempt to answer several questions. As you complete your Module 1 readings, start formulating your answers to questions such as:

• Why do some people see aging as something to be accepted while others work to treat and prevent it?
• Why do some people see health as not having symptoms?
• Why do some people who are newly diagnosed with lung cancer continue to smoke?
• What motivates some people to be dedicated to daily fitness, while others struggle to include exercise into their daily routines?

Behavior and heart disease

Several behavior-related risk factors have been identified as being related to heart disease, including smoking, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, poor diet, and stress.

Behavior and diabetes

Type II Diabetes is strongly related to obesity, and both conditions have risen dramatically over the past two decades:

Behavior and cancer

Behavioral choices such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, unprotected sexual behavior, sun exposure, and lack of sleep, among others, have been associated with increased cancer risk.

Behavioral risk factors

Table 1–3 in the textbook offers an interesting take on the relationship between behavior and causes of death, as it attempts to identify the actual behaviors that cause death in the United States: Can you relate to any of these health risks, and are you surprised by the death rate related to each? Think about which of these causes of death are in our control and out of our control? As an individual or as a society?

Behavior and quality of life

Behavior choices are also related to conditions that may not cause death, but will influence quality of life. These conditions include osteoporosis, back pain, and anxiety.

Culture, Diversity and Health Behaviors:

Culture is the patterns of ideas, customs and behaviors shared by a particular people or society. These patterns identify members as part of a group and distinguish members from other groups. Diversity Diversity encompasses all those differences that make us unique, including but not limited to race, color, ethnicity, language, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, gender, gender, socio-economic status, age and physical and mental ability. Each of these influence how we define health, illness and utilize various health care options including caring for our bodies.

Image Credit:
John Birdsall MR / John Birdsall Social Issues Photo Library / Press Association Images / Universal Images Group Rights Managed / For Education Use Only

Module 1 Study Materials

Required Readings:

• Brehm, B. (2014). Psychology of Health and Fitness. Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis.
  • Chapter 1 and Chapter 7
• AHRQ, (2015). Consider  Culture,Customs and Beliefs(Links to an external site.). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Washington, DC.
• Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Health and Behavior: Research, Practice, and Policy. Health and Behavior: The Interplay of Biological, Behavioral, and Societal Influences.(Links to an external site.) Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. 3, Behavioral Risk Factors.
• Weiss, R. P. (2001). The Mind-Body Connection in Learning. (attached) T+D, 55(9), 60.

INSTRUCTIONS:

An active discussion is the key to an interesting and engaging online course. Discussion in this course is designed to simulate a classroom discussion. Rather than having each of you post a “mini paper” in response to the discussion questions, we will go through the questions as a group, one question at a time. As you join in the discussion, you should read what has already been posted first and then add substantively to what has been written. Treat this as a true conversation about the learning materials.

Part 1 of each discussion is a question that asks for your opinion or for you to share a related experience you may have had, so jump right into the discussion immediately. 

Part 2 of each discussion has subsequent questions that you should address by meaningfully integrating what you learn from your readings including the text, articles, and module notes.

This assignment will come in four different parts. Please be sure to separate the discussion into sections labelling each according to the questions.

• Question 1: Part 1: Share an experience
  • Reflect upon your life and choose a behavioral decision that you made that has had a positive influence on your health. Discuss with the class what influences (such as culture, diversity, and/or health promotional beliefs) assisted or challenged your decision.

Ø  Question 2: Part 2: Now apply what you’ve learned from the readings:

Review the data in Table 1-2 in your textbook “Top 10 Causes of Death in the United States, 1900 and 2010”,  as well as Figure 7 -3 and 7- 4.

• Discuss what you think might explain the changes seen between 1900 and the present?

• Question 3: Part 2: Now apply what you’ve learned from the readings:

Review the data in Table 1-2 in your textbook “Top 10 Causes of Death in the United States, 1900 and 2010”,  as well as Figure 7 -3 and 7- 4.

• Choose the two behaviors that you think have the greatest impact on health and justify your choice to your peers?

• Question 4: Part 2: Now apply what you’ve learned from the readings:

Review the data in Table 1-2 in your textbook “Top 10 Causes of Death in the United States, 1900 and 2010”,  as well as Figure 7 -3 and 7- 4.

• Discuss how socio-economic status has had such a strong influence on these health issues.