ICEH Papers

HEALTH PROMOTION & THE PRACTICE OF HEALTH BEHAVIOR


Kenneth, Dr. Mrs. Kalyani “Health Promotion & The Practice of Health Behavior” in Martin J. Bunch, V. Madha Suresh and T. Vasantha Kumaran, eds., Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Environment and Health, Chennai, India, 15-17 December, 2003. Chennai: Department of Geography, University of Madras and Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University. Pages 205- 210.


Abstract:

Anthropogenic changes to the natural environment pose serious threats to human health welfare and security, hence the need to promote health arises, and as a result we have to practice health behavior.

This study is an exploratory one in order to create awareness of what health promotion is, what are the health behaviors to be adopted, preventive techniques, and health habit factors that undermine health practices.

“Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health”. From the individual standpoint, health promotion refers to the practice of good health behavior, such as a balanced diet low in cholesterol and fat, regular exercise and the practice of preventive health behaviors, etc.

The present research was conducted amongst adolescents. Initially it was found from previous research literature, reading and personal experience those adolescents of the present era are very conscious of their health. At the same time no individual adolescent is free from the environment in which he is growing. Hence it is observed that the environment influences the individual’s health aspects to a greater extent.

As psychologists, we feel that individual’s behaviors towards ill health can be changed towards healthy behavior by using various techniques. By looking into the behavior and preventative factors that undermine healthy habits, good health practices can be improved. The present research paper envisaged some of the good health practices and was able to bring about a behavioral change in the adolescents by emphasizing health behavior.

Knowingly or unknowingly the college students were prey to unhealthy practices, but the study concludes by the following:

· Employing health behavior changes can alter people’s problems.

· Health promotion and primary prevention involve working not only with the healthy population but also with people who are at risk.

· The mass media have much to contribute in the way of health promotion by educating people about risks to their health posed by certain behavior, such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.

· Legislation also has much to contribute, by mandating certain activities that may reduce risk, such as the use of child restraining seats and seat belts.

In short, health promotion is a general philosophy that has at its core the idea of good health or goodness, as a personal and collective achievement.

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