Determinants of Health: Factors, Lifestyle, and Disease Prevention

Defining Health and Well-being

Health is a state of equilibrium, the combination of physical, mental, and social well-being. It is the result of balanced feeding and personal care, mental well-being, and healthy activities. It involves the acceptance of oneself and transmitting a positive attitude to deal with feelings and problems. Well-being is the ability to relate to healthy people.

Disease and health in people are conditioned by various factors:

• Genetic
• Biological
• Environmental
• Personal

Factors Conditioning Health

Genetic Factors

• Genetic Diseases: These diseases develop (many at birth or years later) and are caused by mutations. Some genes are responsible for diseases that affect the structure of the body and metabolism.
• Congenital Malformations: These are present at birth, and some have inheritable genetic origins.
• Genetic Predispositions: Almost all diseases affecting humans develop much later after birth.

Biological Factors

• Sex: Sex is an inherited characteristic, and differences between men and women are reflected in health.
• Aging Process: Natural death is the result of a long process of aging. The causes of aging include:
  • Errors in DNA replication or transcription.
  • Appearance of mutations.
  • Cell death and exhaustion of the neuroendocrine and immune systems.
  • Processes linked to the formation of free radicals.
  • Atrophy of organs and tissues.

Environmental Factors

These factors include:

• Water quality and health care access.
• Environmental quality.
• Exposure to infectious agents and parasites.
• Exposure to carcinogens.
• Other factors such as wars, weather, and food quality.

Personal Factors

Lifestyle, attitudes, and behavior depend on the social capacities of each human being. These factors are divided into two groups:

1. Economic-Social Situation and Terms: Socioeconomic, cultural, social, and family life, and stress levels.
2. Attitude and Behavior: Habits regarding food, physical exercise, alcoholism, tobacco, drug addiction, hygiene, and personal care.

Healthy Lifestyle and Nutrition

A healthy lifestyle is a habit that includes prevention against health risk factors and is compatible with environmental quality.

Nutrition and Diet Composition

Good nutrition prevents cancer and cardiovascular diseases. A balanced diet consists of:

• 60% Carbohydrates
• 25% Lipids (Fats)
• 15% Proteins

Note that eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia exist.

Dietary Prevention of Chronic Diseases

Cancer can be enhanced by chemical substances in foods. Cardiovascular diseases include obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), and hypercholesterolemia.

Recommendations for Disease Prevention:

• Maintain low fat intake.
• Avoid smoked, salted, fried, or charred foods.
• Eat foods rich in fiber.
• Limit the intake of salt and other seasonings.
• Consume foods rich in omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids (which favor healthy cholesterol levels).
• Moderate the consumption of stimulating drinks.