Chapter 15 Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life Terrance Robertson, Matthew Symonds, Michael Muehlenbein, and Clifford Robertson Chapter 15 Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life

Learning Outcomes Describe three current trends in health Explain at least four factors that affect health Identify the factors that affect your personal wellness Explain a model used by parks, recreation, and leisure professionals Describe the role of parks and recreation professionals in developing and maintaining health lifestyles

Definition of Health “A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity” (World Health Organization, 1947)

Times Are Changing Technology-based, modern societies Aging populations Rising obesity rates Increased incidence and prevalence of lifestyle-related disease

Obesity Contributes to 4 of the top 10 causes of death. Staggering economic costs—$90 billion in 2002. Three quarters of the total health cost in the United States is tied to lifestyle-related chronic disease.

A Global Perspective: Health Issues Are Shared Around the World

World Leisure Organization— Seven Tenets Leisure is an essential element of the human experience. Participation in leisure pursuits contributes to health. Leisure engagement contributes to the health capacity of a community. A lack of access to or participation in health-based leisure adversely affects a person’s long-term health capacity. (continued)

World Leisure Organization— Seven Tenets (continued) A variety of factors influence the provision of leisure-related resources and opportunities. The environment and human experiences are linked and affect leisure experiences. Governments, nongovernmental organizations, and private-sector entities must be engaged in the process of planning, monitoring, and advancing the roles of leisure, recreation, and play as deterrents to lifestyle-related illnesses and disease (World Leisure Organization, 2012).

Factors That Affect Health Biological and genetic factors Environmental factors Access to and utilization of health care Health behaviors

Examples of Models Applied to the Study of Health Person (P), environment (E), situation (S) models Logic models Health communication models Plotting and mapping health conditions

Health Literacy “The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000)

Wellness Perspective A holistic approach to health. Health is multidimensional: Physical Intellectual Emotional Social Environmental Spiritual

Physical Wellness Nutrition Physical Activity Proper eating habits Follow dietary guidelines www.choosemyplate.gov Physical Activity Numerous health benefits through PA PA guidelines: www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/

Benefits of Physical Activity Lowers risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and colon and breast cancer Promotes weight loss Improves cardiovascular and muscular fitness Helps prevent falls Improves cognitive function Improves sleep

Physical Activity Benefits Your Health

Intellectual Wellness Learning throughout the lifespan. Our minds need frequent stimulation. Use leisure as opportunities for learning.

Emotional Wellness Nearly one third of Americans face a mental or emotional challenge each month. Emotionally well people have the skills to deal with these challenges. Stress management Coping skills Research supports the connection between emotional health and overall health.

Social Wellness A person’s ability to interact and participate in a variety of environments including communication skills, meeting new people, building relationships, showing respect for self and others, and developing a network of family and friends. Social interaction is an important part of a well-rounded, healthy life.

Environmental Wellness The influence of the environment on our health has become more evident. “Green” initiatives. How can communities leverage environmental influences to support health?

R & R Model: Examines the Relationship Between People, Resources, and the Environment

Spiritual Wellness Different for every person Involves values, ideals, belief systems, and our purpose in life It is better to ponder the meaning of life for ourselves and to be tolerant of the beliefs of others than to close our minds and become intolerant. It is better to live each day in a way that is consistent with our values and beliefs than to do otherwise and feel untrue to ourselves. (National Wellness Institute, 2011)

Quality of Life (QoL) The degree of well-being felt by an individual or group of people. Generally, consists of two components: Physical: health, diet, safety, and so on Psychological: stress, worry, pleasure, both positive and negative emotional states QoL is determined by individual perspective.

Factors Influencing QoL Cost of living Culture and leisure Economy Environment Freedom Health Infrastructure Safety and risk Climate

Playgrounds in Residential Areas Can Improve QoL

Healthy Communities A movement to improve health at the local, community level. Focused on overall quality of life. A healthy community is one in which people come together to make their community better for themselves, their family, their friends, their neighbors, and others.

We Need You To explore, contribute, and provide parks, recreation, and leisure services around the world To be motivated to pursue a common vision: a healthy, sustainable, accessible, and livable community To improve health, wellness, and quality of life!