Health Risks & Your Behavior Chapter 1 : Lesson 4 : By Mr. Springer

Risks & Risk Behaviors What is a Risk? A Risk is the chance that something harmful may happen to your health and wellness. Example: Eating High Fat Foods = Risk for weight gain and heart problems in later in life. Bicycling Without a Helmet = Risk to injure head!

Risks & Risk Behaviors What is a Risk Behavior? A Risk Behavior is an action that may harm you or others. Example: Smoking Cigarettes Not wearing a seatbelt

Risks & Consequences Taking risks has consequences… A Consequence is the result of an action. Example: Not studying for a test = earning a poor grade.

Risks Add Up… Risks alone may not seem bad, but… When risks are stacked up, chance for negative consequences increases! Example: Jogging alongside a busy street… Jogging alongside a busy street at night… Jogging alongside a busy street at night during a storm… This stacking of risks is known as Cumulative Risk.

Preventing Risks Risks can be avoided... By practicing Prevention, which means taking steps to avoid something. - Plan ahead - Think about consequences - Resist negative peer pressure - Avoid risk takers - Pay attention to what you are doing - Know your limits - Be aware of dangers

Abstinence The best way to avoid risk… Is to be Abstinent, which is the conscious, active choice not to participate in high-risk behaviors. Avoiding high-risk behaviors can affect your Health Triangle (overall health) positively.

Preventing Risks

About Us List three things in your life that are safe, smart, and low-risk behaviors. List up to (at least one) three things you think are risk-behaviors you could improve.

Next Lesson! First unit of Body Systems!