Understanding Cardiovascular Disease and Lifestyle Choices

Research and discuss the causes of cardiovascular disease and its relationship to diet and exercise. Compare and analyze your own personal lifestyle choices (Portfolio Lab assignments) to determine your risk of the disease and form a conclusion as to what changes you can make to decrease your risk. Finally, share information with others in order to encourage healthy behaviors within the community. The following information will help you with the type of information that should be included. You are not limited to this, it will just give you a general idea of what I am looking for in the assignment.
Part #1 – Research and discuss the causes of cardiovascular disease.
(Use at least 2 credible sources for Part #1- be sure to cite source IN THE TEXT and as a bibliography at end).
• What are the causes?
• Why is it a health concern?
• What is the incidence of the disease/how many are affected?
• Is it preventable?
• What is the cost of the disease to the U.S.?
Part #2 – What is the relationship between cardiovascular disease and diet and exercise? (Use at least 1 credible source for Part #2- be sure to cite source IN THE TEXT and as bibliography at the end).
• What types of foods contribute to our risk?
• Does physical activity help in prevention?
• How does inactivity increase our risk?
Part #3 – Compare and analyze your own personal lifestyle choices that contribute to YOUR risk of cardiovascular disease. Cite the lab assignments that you refer to. Example: “According to my BMI lab assignment, I am at greater risk…” or, “After reviewing my Nutritional Analysis Lab assignment, I realize…”
What are the lifestyle choices you are making that increase your risk?
Look at data from the following assignments:

  1. BMI assignment
  2. How Healthy is Your Lifestyle? Survey
  3. Fast food nutrition
  4. Nutritional analysis
  5. Food color chart assignment
  6. Sugar assignment
    Be sure to cite the source of this information. (Example: “According to my Nutritional Analysis I do consume too much…”)
    Part #4 – Form a conclusion as to what changes you can make in your own personal lifestyle choices in order to decrease risk.
    • Specifically what can you do to decrease your risk NOW.
    • How will those changes benefit your future health.
    Part #5 – Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility
    Hopefully your workouts have allowed you to experience the positive benefits of physical activity. It is now time to share that with others. Physically inactive individuals are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease. According to the Center for Disease Control, if every physically inactive person became active, we would save $77 billion in health care costs every year. Only 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 3 children get the recommended amount of physical activity.
    Invite at least 2 people (adult or child) to participate in a workout with you. It can be your regular workout or you can do something different (ride bikes, take a free class at gym, try a new workout DVD).
    Reflect on this experience and include the following information:
    • Who did you invite to workout with you and why did you choose that person?
    • What information did you share to encourage them to participate?
    • Did you notice a difference in the individual’s attitudes toward physical activity with regards to their age, ethnic background or socioeconomic background?
    • Explain the possible implications on our nation if everyone who is active encouraged others to become active too.
    • What other ways could you encourage physical activity in adults and children?
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Sample Answer

 

Understanding Cardiovascular Disease and Lifestyle Choices

Part 1: Causes of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke. The causes of CVD are multi-faceted and can include:

– Hypertension: High blood pressure can damage the arteries over time.
– High Cholesterol: Elevated levels of cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries.
– Smoking: Tobacco use is a major risk factor for CVD.
– Obesity: Excess weight puts strain on the heart and increases the risk of CVD.
– Poor Diet: Consuming high amounts of saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium can contribute to CVD.
– Lack of Physical Activity: Sedentary lifestyles increase the risk of CVD.

CVD is a significant health concern globally due to its high mortality rates and impact on quality of life. In the United States alone, CVD is responsible for a large number of deaths each year. While some risk factors for CVD are genetic or age-related, many are modifiable through lifestyle changes.

Part 2: Relationship between CVD and Diet/Exercise

– Diet: Foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium can contribute to the development of CVD. Conversely, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help prevent CVD.
– Exercise: Regular physical activity is crucial in preventing CVD. It helps maintain a healthy weight, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and improves overall cardiovascular health.

Part 3: Personal Lifestyle Choices Analysis

After reviewing my lab assignments, I have identified several lifestyle choices that increase my risk of CVD:

– According to my BMI assignment, I fall into the overweight category, which increases my risk of hypertension and heart disease.
– The Nutritional Analysis lab revealed that my diet is high in saturated fats and low in fiber, both of which contribute to CVD risk.
– The Fast Food Nutrition assignment highlighted my frequent consumption of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, further elevating my risk of CVD.

Part 4: Making Lifestyle Changes

To decrease my risk of CVD, I plan to:

– Adopt a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
– Increase my physical activity by incorporating regular exercise into my routine.
– Monitor my cholesterol levels and blood pressure regularly.
These changes will benefit my future health by reducing my risk of developing CVD and other related conditions.

Part 5: Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility

Physical inactivity is a major contributor to the prevalence of CVD. By inviting others to join me in workouts, I aim to promote the importance of regular exercise and its positive impact on cardiovascular health. I invited my family members to participate as I believe that starting healthy habits together can lead to long-term adherence.

Encouraging physical activity in adults and children can be done through community events, sports programs, workplace wellness initiatives, and educational campaigns. By creating a culture that values physical activity and healthy living, we can collectively reduce the burden of CVD on society and improve overall well-being.

 

 

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