Health Michael Hoerger

Health Habits Diet Exercise Smoking Alcohol

Whose Problem? Aside from the very poor and very rich, most Americans participate in managed care programs (health insurance) Worse health as a group = higher costs for everyone Your problem = my problem

Diet Food preferences develop in childhood Changes take increased exposure Overweight Americans… 2/3 are overweight 1/3 are obese Older age: metabolism slows, weight increases Obesity rates have tripled since 1980

Americans, let's face it: We've been a spoiled country for a long time. Do you know what the number one health risk in America is? Obesity. They say we're in the middle of an obesity epidemic. An epidemic like it is polio. Like we'll be telling our grand kids about it one day. The Great Obesity Epidemic of "How'd you get through it grandpa?“ "Oh, it was horrible Johnny, there was cheesecake and pork chops everywhere.“ --Lazy Boy lyrics

Exercise Best way to lose weight 25% of adults in middle age do not exercise Even slight exercise is beneficial Benefits heart and lungs Strengthens muscles and bones Manage weight, avoid diabetes Reduce stress and depression

Smoking 25% former, 25% current Possible consequences: Cancer: lung, mouth, stomach, kidney, bladder Emphysema and pneumonia Heart disease, stroke Alzheimer’s and memory loss May be more important than diet, exercise, weight, and alcohol consumption

Alcohol Benefits and risks Benefits: Prevents atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which decreases risk for heart disease and stroke Risks: Damage to liver, heart, stomach Cancer, osteoporosis, accidents, homicide

Alcohol Maximum benefits for… Males, over 35, white, risk for heart attack Males: drinks/day Females: drink/day Benefits similar to Lipitor, which costs $80/month or more Benefits apply to wine, beer, and hard liquor

Michael Hoerger To cite this lecture: Hoerger, M. (2007, April 4). Health and Developmental Psychology. Presented at a PSY 220 lecture at Central Michigan University.