After reviewing Module 5: Lecture Materials & Resources, discuss the following;
How do family, friends, and community influence individual health and lifestyle? Identify at least 3 positive and 3 negative effects.
Submission Instructions:
Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources.
Introduction
The family, friends, and community play an essential role in shaping an individual’s health and lifestyle. They provide a support system that influences an individual’s health behaviors, habits, and attitudes. An individual’s interactions with their family, friends, and community can have positive or negative impacts on their health and lifestyle. This essay will discuss how family, friends, and community influence an individual’s health and lifestyle, highlighting three positive and three negative effects.
Positive Effects
- Social Support
Family, friends, and community can provide social support that promotes an individual’s health and well-being. Social support refers to the emotional, instrumental, and informational assistance provided by family, friends, and community. It can help individuals cope with stress, improve their mental health, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. For example, individuals with strong social support systems are more likely to engage in physical activity, eat a healthy diet, and manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension effectively.
- Role Modeling
Family, friends, and community can serve as role models for healthy behaviors, which can positively influence an individual’s lifestyle choices. Individuals who observe their family, friends, and community members engaging in healthy behaviors such as exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet are more likely to adopt these behaviors themselves. For example, parents who engage in regular physical activity are more likely to have children who also engage in physical activity.
- Sense of Belonging
Family, friends, and community provide individuals with a sense of belonging, which can promote their mental health and well-being. Feeling connected to others can reduce stress and anxiety, improve self-esteem, and provide a sense of purpose. A sense of belonging can also encourage individuals to engage in healthy behaviors, such as attending community events and participating in social activities.
Negative Effects
- Peer Pressure
Family, friends, and community can exert negative influence through peer pressure, which can lead to unhealthy behaviors. Peer pressure refers to the pressure individuals feel to conform to the expectations of their peers. For example, teenagers may engage in risky behaviors such as smoking or drinking alcohol due to peer pressure from their friends.
- Unhealthy Habits
Family, friends, and community members may engage in unhealthy habits that can negatively influence an individual’s lifestyle choices. For example, individuals who grow up in households where smoking is prevalent are more likely to become smokers themselves. Similarly, individuals who have friends who engage in unhealthy behaviors such as drug use or excessive drinking may be more likely to engage in these behaviors themselves.
- Lack of Social Support
Individuals who lack social support from their family, friends, and community may be at risk for poor health outcomes. Lack of social support can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can negatively affect mental health and increase the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. For example, elderly individuals who live alone and lack social support are at higher risk of depression and cognitive decline.
Conclusion
In conclusion, family, friends, and community play a crucial role in shaping an individual’s health and lifestyle. The positive effects of social support, role modeling, and a sense of belonging can promote an individual’s health and well-being. However, negative effects such as peer pressure, unhealthy habits, and lack of social support can lead to unhealthy behaviors and poor health outcomes. Therefore, it is important for individuals to surround themselves with positive influences and seek support from their family, friends, and community to promote a healthy lifestyle.