Chapter 11: Health and Well-Being

Western medical model Sees health as the absence of disease (people are patients) The assumption is that health professionals know best and should maintain control over what happens to patients More integrated approach Psychologists and most health-care professionals believe that attitudes and behaviors are critical in: Staying healthy Regaining health following illness Achieving well-being throughout life The individual plays a more active role Health psychology integrates research on health and on psychology Well-being is a positive state in which you feel your best Biopsychosocial model Contains biological characteristics, psychological factors, and social conditions Biological: Genetic predispositions, exposure to germs, brain and other nervous system development Psychological: Thoughts, actions, lifestyles, stress, and health beliefs Social: Environments, cultural influences, family relationships, and social support

Obesity and its Affect on Health Obesity is a major health problem with physical and psychological consequences BMI is the ratio of body weight to height, but is far from perfect Understanding obesity requires a complex approach by examining behavior, biology, cognition, and the societal context of what makes cheap, tasty, and high-calories food readily available Causes of Obesity Overeating (buffet) Social and genetic influences Friends tend to be the same body weight Obesity tends to run in families Stigma of Obesity Fat shaming is negative criticism of someone's body weight due to being overweight or obese Obesity can give rise to various psychological problems Depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem Not all cultures stigmatize obesity Being obese is a sign of being a member of the upper class in some developing countries In Western cultures, there is a clear preference for thin body types

Dieting Dieting is not an effective way to lose weight permanently The body has a natural defense against weight loss Dieting can be a vicious cycle Dieters may develop disordered eating if they fail to lose weight Anorexia nervosa (excessive fear of becoming fat) Bulimia nervosa (immediately expelling food by vomiting) Binge-eating disorder (eating so much in a short amount of time)

Exercise Regular exercise improves your physical health, aids your thinking abilities, and benefits your emotions and mood.

Sexual Relations and STIs STIs affect the health of many people Chlamydia Gonorrhea Syphilis Trichomoniasis HPV Herpes HIV Ways to have Safer Sex Abstain from or limit sexual partners Getting information about sexual health Vaccinations against STIs Using condoms

Smoking Smoking is also very bad to your health compared to obesity, disordered eating, and STIs. Many younger people start smoking due to peer pressure and social influences.