Health is a complex state determined by ongoing interactions between an individual’s genetic makeup and everyday environmental factors. For example, a baby’s immediate and long-term health is affected by the mother’s personal health and daily practices during pregnancy: her diet; use or avoidance of alcohol, tobacco, and certain medications; routine prenatal care; and exposure to communicable illnesses. Mothers who ignore healthy practices during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to infants who are born prematurely, have low birth weight, or experience a range of special needs (Polakowski, Akinbami, & Mendola, 2009). These children also face a significantly higher risk of lifelong health problems and possibly early death. In contrast, a child who is born healthy, grows up in a nurturing family, consumes a nutritious diet, lives in a safe environment, and has numerous opportunities for learning and recreation is more likely to enjoy a healthy life.
Heredity
Characteristics transmitted from biological parents to their children at the time of conception determine all of the genetic traits of a new, unique individual. Heredity sets the limits for growth, development, and health potential. It explains, in part, why children in one family are short while those from another family are tall or why some individuals have allergies or require glasses while others do not.
Understanding how heredity influences health can also be useful for predicting an inherited tendency, or predisposition, to certain health problems, such as heart disease, deafness, cancer, diabetes, allergies, or mental health disorders. However, it should be noted that a family history of heart disease or diabetes, for example, does not necessarily predict the development of these conditions. Many lifestyle factors, including physical activity, diet, sleep, and stress levels, interact with genetic material (genes) to determine whether a child will ultimately develop heart disease or any number of other chronic health conditions.
Environment
Although heredity provides the basic building materials that predetermine the limits of one’s health, environment plays an equally important role. Environment encompasses a combination of physical, psychological, social, economic, and cultural factors that collectively influence the way individuals perceive and respond to their surroundings. In turn, these responses shape a person’s behaviors and potential outcomes. For example, two cyclists set off on a ride: One wears a helmet, the other does not. The choices each has made could potentially have quite different outcomes if they were to be involved in a collision. In turn, if the cyclist who decided not to wear a helmet sustained injuries, he or she is likely to experience significant health, economic, social, and psychological consequences.
Examples of environmental factors that promote healthy outcomes include:
- following a nutritious diet
- participating in daily physical and recreational activities
- getting adequate rest
- having access to medical and dental care
- reducing stress
- residing in homes, child care facilities, schools, and workplaces that are clean and safe
- having opportunities to form stable and respectful relationships
There are also many environmental factors that have a negative effect on health. For example, exposure to chemicals and pollution, abuse, illness, obesity, prenatal alcohol, sedentary lifestyles, poverty, stress, food insecurity, violence, or unhealthy dietary choices can interfere with children’s optimal growth and development.
heredity – the transmission of certain genetic material and characteristics from biological parents to child at the time of conception.
predisposition – having an increased chance or susceptibility.
predisposition – having an increased chance or susceptibility.
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