Psychology, Lifestyle and Health.

Dr Dominic Upton

Leading causes of death.

•Heart disease

•Cancer

•Stroke

•Accidents

All have a lifestyle component: therefore psychology has a role.

Lifestyle choices play a major role in health.

– Smoking– Drinking Alcohol– Recreational and addictive drugs– Overeating– Poor nutrition– Lack of exercise– Risky sexual behavior

Nicotine

• Lung cancer.

• Many forms of cancer.

• Heart disease.

– Although on the decline since the ‘60’s, today• 28% adult men still smoke

23% adult women still smoke

– Health effects• Earlier deaths due to

– Cancer– Heart disease

» Arteriosclerosis» Hypertension» Stroke

– GIVE IT UP!• It can be done!

– Health effects return to normal after 15 years

• The less smoked, the better the success rate– 25% successful

Smoking

Diet.

• Poor diet has been implicated in:– Colon, stomach, pancreatic, prostate, and breast

cancer.– Hypertension (high blood pressure).– Diabetes (body weight, sugar, fats).

– Obesity, 20% over ideal body weight• 24%, men; 27%, women• Health effects

– Heart Disease, Diabetes, Orthopedic Problems, Respiratory complaints, cancer, and so on.

– Interventions• Restrictive eating

– Diet vs. healthy eating

• EXERCISE– Crucial for weight control

» Other health benefits

Overeating

Dietary elements of concern Fat content

Cholesterol LDL vs HDL

Relationship to cancer Colon, breast, rectal

Salt & Caffeine - Hypertension Calcium

Osteoporosis Developmental significance for youth

Obesity, Health effects Heart Disease, Diabetes, Orthopedic Problems, Respiratory

complaints, cancer, and so on.

Poor Nutrition is NOT just overeating…Poor Nutrition is NOT just overeating…

Exercise– Lowers blood pressure– Protects heart against rhythm disturbances – LDL-cholesterol and raises HDL-cholesterol

(the good cholesterol)

Alcohol abuse

• Accidents.

• Cirrhosis of the liver.

• Some forms of cancer.

• Fetal alcohol syndrome in new-born.

• Cognitive impairment.

– THE most common of the “drugs”• Over 68% of average adults drink• Over 85% of undergrads drink

• Short-term, negative effects– Physical effects…”the hangover”– Poor decision-making and accidents

• Increased vulnerability – For other risky behaviors, e.g., SEXUAL ACTIVITY– For manipulation & exploitation

• Some people, prone to aggression– DRUNK DRIVING

– DANGEROUS– DEADLY– ILLEGAL

Drinking Alcohol

Coronary heart disease (CHD):

Athersclerosis (furring of the arteries).Angina Pectoris (chest pains).Myocardial infaction (heart attacks).

The relationship between The relationship between

HEART DISEASEHEART DISEASE

and and STRESSSTRESS..

CancerRheumatoid ArthritisRespiratory infectionsImmunosuppression Disorders

Other stress-linked disorders:

Conclusion- part 1...

• The major killers today are cancer, heart disease and strokes.

• These major killers all have a lifestyle component.

• Health psychology has a major role to play in all these lifestyle areas.