PSYC 1111 WA week 2.edited
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University of the People *
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1111
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Health Science
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Nov 24, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by NeutronPuppyIrene
Unhealthy eating is a pervasive issue with profound implications for overall health. I want to focus on the personal case of my mother, who demonstrates the consequences of prolonged unhealthy eating habits. The Health Belief Model (HBM) is an ideal analytical tool in this context, as it offers a comprehensive lens through which to examine the personal beliefs and perceptions that drive health-related behaviors.
Raised in the Russian countryside, my mother's diet was deeply influenced by regional cuisine that heavily relies on high-fat foods. Her diet includes
an extensive use of animal fats, especially pork lard for frying and as an appetizer, along with potatoes, fatty dairy products like sour cream and butter, and meats such as pork and chicken. The limited growing season, lasting about 3-4 months, restricted access to fresh fruits and vegetables, leading to a reliance on pickled
vegetables and sugar-laden fruit preserves during the rest of the year. These preservation methods, necessary for surviving harsh winters, significantly compromise the nutritional value of
these foods.
Despite moving to the city over thirty years ago, where she gained access to fresh produce throughout the year, my mother's eating habits haven't changed. The availability of processed foods like sausages, baked goods, and confectioneries aggravated her dietary pattern. Her continued preference for foods high in saturated fats, combined with minimal intake of fresh fruits and vegetables and an excessive consumption of sugar, salt, and white flour, has led to several health issues. By 52, she suffers from obesity and has various health problems affecting her kidneys, liver, digestive system, and heart.
According to the Health Belief Model, her approach to health is influenced by several components: perceived susceptibility to illness, perceived severity of the illness, perceived barriers to and benefits of the behavior change, cues to action, and self-efficacy.
Despite her medical background and years of experience as a nurse, she underestimates the susceptibility to illnesses caused by poor nutrition, attributing her health problems solely to aging. This view diminishes her perception of the seriousness of diet-related diseases.
Her dieting efforts are irregular and primarily aimed at weight loss for social events, not overall health. These short-term diets, lacking in nutritional balance, often lead back to her original eating patterns, further rooting her unhealthy habits.
Regarding perceived barriers, she views changing her eating habits as a monumental effort. She perceives healthy eating as time-consuming, requiring learning new recipes and meal planning, alongside an assumption of higher financial costs.
She recognizes only weight loss as a benefit, overlooking other health advantages. Her belief in needing meat and sweets hinders her willingness to change her diet.
Cues like reduced immunity and doctor's advice post-surgery haven't sufficiently motivated her. Her self-efficacy, or confidence in her ability to change her eating habits, is paradoxical. While she believes it would be easy to change, her past attempts have been short-lived, reflecting a gap between her perceived and actual ability to alter her diet.
Therefore, her health beliefs, as explained by HBM, significantly contribute to her continued unhealthy eating, despite its adverse health effects.
Socially, my mother's environment doesn't support healthier eating. Sharing similar dietary habits, her social circle inadvertently reinforces her current diet
.
Changing her diet might lead to social disconnect, particularly in gatherings where her healthier choices, like salads, starkly contrast with others' preferences for richer foods. At home, the expectation to cook traditional meals for my father and brother alongside her healthier choices presents a conflict.
Emotionally, changing her diet is challenging due to a deep attachment to her established eating habits, which are part of her cultural and personal identity. This emotional barrier is significant, as it ties her current eating habits to a sense of comfort and familiarity.
Financially, while my mother's income is sufficient to afford quality, healthy food, her spending is shaped by past financial crises. Treating healthy eating as less of a priority, compared to immediate concerns like savings or home improvements, foils her dietary change.
Through the HBM, this case study underscores the multifaceted nature of unhealthy eating. It reveals how deeply ingrained beliefs and habits, influenced by social, emotional, and financial factors, can persist despite explicit knowledge and understanding of their health implications.
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