There are several health behaviors that may lead to risk for chronic medical conditions, severe impairments in daily functioning or death. Naturalnews.com summarizes four major health risk habits that may impair overall health. These risky behaviors include: use of alcohol, smoking, poor nutrition and lack of physical exercise. Lifestyle changes to eliminate high risk health behaviors can make the difference between increased health problems or improved health.
Poor Nutrition
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recognizes obesity as an increasing problem in the United States with more than 22 percent of adults in a given year diagnosed as obese. Unhealthy eating habits is the major contributor to this health risk. In addition to becoming overweight, unhealthy eating habits may also lead to chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. Nutrition is one of the lifestyle areas that is changeable. With the right information, determination for change, and support this high risk behavior is decreased, ultimately leading to healthier living. The Mayo Clinic recommends using a simple tool such as the food pyramid to learn portions and dietary needs.
Inactivity
Lack of physical activity in daily life is a high risk health behavior. A 2010 report in the Archives of Internal Medicine explained that physical inactivity in combination with poor nutrition has a significant impact on health. Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, type II diabetes, and osteoporosis are health risks that are manageable through exercise.
According to the Mayo Clinic, regular physical activity can manage these conditions as well as improve mood and metabolism. The lack of physical activity in daily life reduces heart and lung functioning, subsequently increasing risk for poor blood flow through the body. Additionally, inactivity prevents the muscles from building up, prevents oxygen consumption from maximum flow to the body, and limits the ability of the body to fight fat to decrease the risk of obesity. Simple changes such as walking daily may decrease health risks associated with inactivity.
Excessive Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption
Excessive alcohol and tobacco use are high risk health behaviors that may lead to liver disease, lung disease and increase blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic indicates that excessive alcohol and tobacco use also impact fertility in regards to pregnancy as well as increases risk for type II diabetes. The National Institutes of Health recognizes alcohol use in moderation as acceptable and with some health benefits. This is limited to a certain amount of drinks per week and certain types of drinks, however. Currently there are no known health benefits to smoking tobacco products. The choice to abstain from alcohol and tobacco is an option for healthier living and to improve physical health.
