HEALTH BEHAVIOUR

1. Kasl and Cobb (1966) defined three types of health-related behaviors. They suggested that:

A health behavior was a behavior aimed to prevent disease (e.g. eating a healthy diet)

An illness behavior was a behavior aimed to seek remedy (e.g. going to the doctor)

A sick role behavior was any activity aimed to get well (e.g. taking prescribed medication,
resting).

2. Health behaviors were further defined by Matarazzo (1984) in terms of either:

Health impairing habits, which he called ‘behavioral pathogens’ (e.g. smoking, eating a
high fat diet), or Health protective behaviors, which he defined as ‘behavioral immunogens’
(e.g. attending a health check)

Health behaviors are actions that are taken by individuals that affect the overall health of
one’s life. These behaviors range from simple daily activities such as sleep and working out,
to more complex ideas and concepts such as coping mechanisms.

The benefits of having positive health behaviors can result in the prevention of disease and
chronic illnesses. Negative health behaviors can lead to the development of lifestyles focused
on drug abuse and high risk sexual activities. These behaviors can be considered intentional
or unintentional and it is important to note that behavior is easily shaped by the constructs
and environment that an individual is surrounded by.

Health behavior encompasses a large field of study that cuts across various fields, including
psychology, education, sociology, public health, epidemiology, and anthropology.
Role of behavioural factors in disease and disorders
It has long been recognized that specific behaviors are associated with increased risk of
specific diseases and related conditions. For example, tobacco use, alcohol consumption,
inadequate physical activity, some sexual practices, and high-fat or low-fibre diets have all
been recognized as unhealthy.

1. Lifestyle choices: Behaviors such as diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol

consumption, and substance abuse significantly impact an individual's health. Poor lifestyle
choices can increase the risk of chronic diseases like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and
certain types of cancer.

Obesity: Approximately 10 to 30 percent of obese persons who seek weight reduction suffer
from binge eating. Although research in the past decade has shown that genetic influences
predispose some people to obesity, it is becoming clear that the main reason obesity is
increasing is due to a "toxic environment" that implicitly discourages physical activity while
explicitly encouraging the consumption of supersized portions of high-fat, high-sugar foods.
Bold public policy initiatives may help prevent the development of obesity.

CHD/CVD: Being physically inactive, not getting enough good quality sleep, including
waking up often throughout the night, may raise the risk of coronary heart disease. Similarly,
smoking or long-term exposure to second-hand smoke can damage the blood vessels and lead
to CVD. Unhealthy eating patterns that include consuming high amounts of saturated fats and
refined carbohydrates (such as white bread, pasta, and white rice) can lead to overweight and
obesity, high blood cholesterol, atherosclerosis & arteriosclerosis. Stress may also indirectly
contribute towards coronary heart disease if it makes a person more likely to smoke or over
eat foods high in fat and added sugars.

Diabetes - Diabetes management depends almost entirely on behavioral self-regulation.

Research over the past decade provides strong evidence that the use of intensive treatment
regimens to maintain tighter glucose control can delay or prevent the development of some of
the devastating long-term complications of diabetes, and clinical health psychology plays a
major role in developing these management programs.

2. Health beliefs and attitudes: Individual beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes towards health
and healthcare can influence health outcomes. Positive health beliefs, engagement in
preventive behaviors and adherence to treatment regimens can contribute to better health
outcomes.

3. Health behaviors and self-care: Individuals' engagement in health-promoting behaviors,

such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, taking medications as prescribed,
and preventive healthcare, plays a significant role in maintaining overall health and
preventing disease.
4. Psychological stress and social factors: Both can have profound effects on health.
Chronic stress can contribute to the development of various conditions, including
cardiovascular disease & depression. Negative emotions can lower immunity and can lead to
increased risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, arthritis and certain cancers.

5. Socioeconomic status, education level, access to healthcare, and discrimination can

influence health behaviors, healthcare utilization, and health outcomes. Strong social
connections are associated with improved mental well-being and physical health outcomes, as
they provide emotional support, resources, and encouragement for healthy behaviors.

Biobehavioral factors in health and disease require a holistic approach that considers the
interplay between biological, behavioral, psychological, and social determinants of health. By
recognizing and addressing these factors, healthcare professionals can develop more effective
strategies for promoting health, preventing disease, and improving overall well-being.
Broad Definitions

Health Education:

Includes instructional activities and other strategies to change individual health behavior, as
well as organizational efforts, policy directives, economic supports, environmental activities,
mass media, and community-level programs

• According to Griffiths (1972) ‘health education attempts to close the gap between what is
known about the optimum health practice that which actually practiced

Areas within health education encompass environmental health, physical health, social
health, emotional health, intellectual health, and spiritual health, as well as sexual and
reproductive health education.

Health Behavior:

In the broadest sense, health behavior refers to the actions of individuals, groups, and
organizations, as well as their determinants, correlates, and consequences, including social
change, policy development and implementation, improved coping skills, and enhanced
quality of life (Parkerson and others, 1993).

• Symonds (1976) bringing about behavioral changes in individuals group ad larger

population from behavior that are presumed to be detrimental to health to behavior that are
conducive to preset an future health

Scope of Health education/behaviour in homoeopathic practice: Elaborate these points.

1. Knowledge of human biology – pathology – diagnosis & prognosis – selection of

medicine, potency, scope of homoeopathic medicines.

2. Nutritional advice for deficiency disorders, prevention of diseases, motivation for healthy
diet – prevention of lifestyle disorders.

3. Hygiene and sanitation – personal, environment & food hygiene – prevention of infectious
diseases

4. Mental Health education- Treating substance abuse – Psychiatric illnesses, Medication,

Psychotherapy and counselling- improving the QOL.

5. Family health