Human Development

Health and Motor Development

Discussion Topic

Barriers to healthy behavior:

Although we understand the importance of healthy behaviors (nutrition, exercise), we often fail to maintain them.

Barriers to healthy behavior? Strategies for healthy behavior?

Health Psychology

A branch of psychology that explores the relationship between physical and psychological health

The “mind-body” connection

Health Psychology

The “Writing Cure”

Healing gardens

Yoga/meditation

Stress and health Race-related stress and health disparities Type A personality and heart disease

Bio-Psycho-Social Health Model

A holistic view of health:

Biological: genetic factors; the brain

Psychological: stress; negative thinking; emotional regulation

Social: SES; culture

Children’s Health

Shift toward:

Prevention

Outpatient care

Vaccinations

Poverty and Health

16% of children in the U.S. live in poverty

**higher rate than any other industrialized nation

7% of children have no source of health care

U.S.- 11 million preschool children are malnouished

aggression, hyperactive and excessive motor

behaviors

Malnutrition threatens many in developing countries during childhood

Poverty and Health

Limited access to health care

Poor older adults 3 times more likely than non-poor to be limited by chronic disorder

The Role of Interventions

Head Start

WIC

A Healthy Start Abuse prevention

Lower incidence of maternal alcohol abuse and domestic violence, no reduction in child abuse (Duggan, 2004)

Childhood Obesity Consequences of Obesity

Increases child’s risk of medical problems Low self-esteem and depression common; has links to bullying

**1/3 of mothers of overweight children think their kids are normal weight

Childhood Obesity

Treatment of Obesity Diet Exercise Behavior modification

Increase in Overweight U.S. Adolescents

Fig. 4.8

Eating disorders

Anorexia Nervosa Most are white females from well-educated, middle- and upper-income families Competitive families, high achievement goals Thin ideal

Bulimia Nervosa — individual consistently follows a binge-purge eating pattern

Social Context and Health

Youth who don’t eat dinner with family 5 times per week were more likely to smoke cigarettes and marijuana, fight, and have sex

Link between peer pressure and risky behavior

Adolescent Health

Long term habits form in adolescence

Low use of health care services

Especially ethnic minorities from low SES backgrounds

Ethnicity and Overweight in U.S. Adolescents

Fig. 4.9

Adolescent Health

Parents of urban adolescents:

Want doctors to discuss STDs, contraception, drug use, and other health related topics

Few doctors do this

Health in Young Adulthood

Most have few chronic health problems

Know how to stay healthy but adopt unhealthy lifestyles

Barriers to health maintaining behavior

Exercise in Adulthood

Moderate and intense exercise may produce important physical and psychological gains

Prevention of heart disease, live longer

Aerobic exercise: sustained activity that stimulates heart and lung functioning (e.g. jogging, cycling)

Exercising enough to burn more than 2,000 calories a week can cut risk of heart attack by two-thirds

Gender Differences in the Experience of Health Care Women:

More proactive

Research on stereotypes: doctors take women’s physical complaints less seriously

Bias in research: most participants are male

Increasing Disabilities with Age

Fig. 4.2

Robust Oldest Old

A substantial subgroup of oldest old are robust and active

Less than 60% have a disability

Health care and medical treatment can improve functioning, provide intervention

Alzheimer's Disease

Dementia — global term; Alzheimer is one form

Progressive, irreversible brain disorder

Alzheimer’s Disease

deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and, eventually, physical functioning

Rate increasing in U.S.; no cure

Causes not fully identified; early and late onset

Healthy lifestyle, medication can slow progression

Percentage of U.S. Older Adults of Different Ages In Nursing Homes

Fig. 4.4

Health Treatment for Older Adults

Important factors for residents:

Feelings of control and self-determination

Alert, responsive, caring staff

Effective coping skills

Opportunities to make choices

Perceived Control and Mortality

Fig. 4.5

Questions About Aging and Nutrition

Food Restriction and Longevity

Food-restricted animals live longer, healthier lives

Leaner men live longer, healthier lives

Increase in body mass linked to earlier death

Addiction

Overwhelming involvement with using a drug and securing its supply

Psychological dependence

Physiological dependence

Withdrawal symptoms

Addiction

Disease model

Biologically-based

Lifelong disease that involves loss of control over behavior

Requires medical and/or spiritual treatment

Promoted by medical profession and AA

Life-process model

• Habitual response and source of gratification and security

• Can only be understood in context of persons’ lives, social relationships, experiences, and environments

Dynamic Systems View

Perception and action are linked

We develop motor behaviors because we perceive something that motivates us to act

Dynamic Systems Theory

The convergence of:

Nervous system development

Body’s physical properties

Child’s motivation to reach goal

Environmental support for the skill

Cultural Differences

Developing Nations Mothers stimulate infants’ motor skills

moreJamaica; Kenya

Expectation for early walking

Participation in Sports

Benefits:

Exercise, competition, self-esteem, peer relationships, physical fitness

Drawbacks:

Injuries, distraction from schoolwork, unrealistic expectations

Guidelines for Parents and Coaches of Children in Sports

The Don’ts– Yell or scream at child– Continue condemning– Point out errors in

front of others– Expect instant learning– Expect child to be pro– Make fun of child– Compare child to other– Make sports all work

The Dos– make sports fun– mistakes are okay– Allow questions,

show calm manner– Respect child’s

participation– Be positive role model – Be supportive