Human Development Health and Motor Development

Discussion Topic Barriers to healthy behavior:  Although we understand the importance of healthy behaviors (nutrition, exercise), we often fail to maintain them. Barriers to healthy behavior? Strategies for healthy behavior?

Health Psychology A branch of psychology that explores the relationship between physical and psychological health  The “mind-body” connection

Health Psychology The “Writing Cure” Healing gardens Yoga/meditation Stress and health  Race-related stress and health disparities  Type A personality and heart disease

Bio-Psycho-Social Health Model A holistic view of health: Biological: genetic factors; the brain Psychological: stress; negative thinking; emotional regulation Social: SES; culture

Children’s Health Shift toward:  Prevention  Outpatient care  Vaccinations

Poverty and Health 16% of children in the U.S. live in poverty  **higher rate than any other industrialized nation 7% of children have no source of health care U.S.- 11 million preschool children are malnouished  aggression, hyperactive and excessive motor behaviors Malnutrition threatens many in developing countries during childhood

Poverty and Health  Limited access to health care  Poor older adults 3 times more likely than non-poor to be limited by chronic disorder

The Role of Interventions Head Start WIC A Healthy Start  Abuse prevention Lower incidence of maternal alcohol abuse and domestic violence, no reduction in child abuse (Duggan, 2004)

Childhood Obesity Consequences of Obesity  Increases child’s risk of medical problems  Low self-esteem and depression common; has links to bullying **1/3 of mothers of overweight children think their kids are normal weight

Childhood Obesity Treatment of Obesity  Diet  Exercise  Behavior modification

Increase in Overweight U.S. Adolescents Fig. 4.8

Eating disorders Anorexia Nervosa  Most are white females from well-educated, middle- and upper-income families  Competitive families, high achievement goals  Thin ideal Bulimia Nervosa — individual consistently follows a binge-purge eating pattern

Social Context and Health Youth who don’t eat dinner with family 5 times per week were more likely to smoke cigarettes and marijuana, fight, and have sex Link between peer pressure and risky behavior

Adolescent Health Long term habits form in adolescence Low use of health care services  Especially ethnic minorities from low SES backgrounds

Ethnicity and Overweight in U.S. Adolescents Fig. 4.9

Adolescent Health Parents of urban adolescents:  Want doctors to discuss STDs, contraception, drug use, and other health related topics  Few doctors do this

Health in Young Adulthood Most have few chronic health problems Know how to stay healthy but adopt unhealthy lifestyles  Barriers to health maintaining behavior

Exercise in Adulthood Moderate and intense exercise may produce important physical and psychological gains  Prevention of heart disease, live longer  Aerobic exercise: sustained activity that stimulates heart and lung functioning (e.g. jogging, cycling)  Exercising enough to burn more than 2,000 calories a week can cut risk of heart attack by two-thirds

Gender Differences in the Experience of Health Care Women:  More proactive  Research on stereotypes: doctors take women’s physical complaints less seriously  Bias in research: most participants are male

Increasing Disabilities with Age Fig. 4.2

Robust Oldest Old A substantial subgroup of oldest old are robust and active  Less than 60% have a disability  Health care and medical treatment can improve functioning, provide intervention

Alzheimer's Disease Dementia — global term; Alzheimer is one form Progressive, irreversible brain disorder

Alzheimer’s Disease deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and, eventually, physical functioning  Rate increasing in U.S.; no cure  Causes not fully identified; early and late onset  Healthy lifestyle, medication can slow progression

Percentage of U.S. Older Adults of Different Ages In Nursing Homes Fig. 4.4

Health Treatment for Older Adults Important factors for residents:  Feelings of control and self-determination  Alert, responsive, caring staff  Effective coping skills  Opportunities to make choices

Perceived Control and Mortality Fig. 4.5

Questions About Aging and Nutrition Food Restriction and Longevity  Food-restricted animals live longer, healthier lives  Leaner men live longer, healthier lives  Increase in body mass linked to earlier death

Addiction Overwhelming involvement with using a drug and securing its supply  Psychological dependence  Physiological dependence  Withdrawal symptoms

Addiction Disease model Biologically-based Lifelong disease that involves loss of control over behavior Requires medical and/or spiritual treatment Promoted by medical profession and AA Life-process model Habitual response and source of gratification and security Can only be understood in context of persons’ lives, social relationships, experiences, and environments

Dynamic Systems View Perception and action are linked We develop motor behaviors because we perceive something that motivates us to act

Dynamic Systems Theory The convergence of:  Nervous system development  Body’s physical properties  Child’s motivation to reach goal  Environmental support for the skill

Cultural Differences Developing Nations Mothers stimulate infants’ motor skills more  Jamaica; Kenya  Expectation for early walking

Participation in Sports Benefits: Exercise, competition, self-esteem, peer relationships, physical fitness Drawbacks: Injuries, distraction from schoolwork, unrealistic expectations

Guidelines for Parents and Coaches of Children in Sports The Don’ts –Yell or scream at child –Continue condemning –Point out errors in front of others –Expect instant learning –Expect child to be pro –Make fun of child –Compare child to other –Make sports all work The Dos –make sports fun –mistakes are okay –Allow questions, show calm manner –Respect child’s participation –Be positive role model –Be supportive