The Impact of attitudes on health and well-being

People’s attitudes towards diet, exercise, and healthy eating are influenced by educational programmes in schools and continuous media campaigns that highlight their benefits for overall health and well-being.

Developing a positive mindset around diet, exercise, and healthy eating increases the likelihood of someone committing to improving their health and well-being. Research indicates that when these positive attitudes are established early in life, they are more likely to persist into adulthood.

How can adults help children/young people develop a healthy approach and attitude to diet, exercise and healthy eating?

Adults have a responsible role to play when it comes to influencing children and young people's attitudes to diet, exercise and healthy eating. Some ways that an adult can encourage and promote positive attitudes to diet, exercise and healthy eating include:

• talking positively about food, weight and exercise.

• being a good role model, eating healthily and exercising regularly.

• avoiding passing comment about a child's weight or shape.

• showing children what healthy snacks they could have and healthy food choices they could make.

• encouraging children to play outdoors, making exercise fun and talking about the benefits of exercise.

• encouraging a limit of time spent watching TV or playing computer games.

• taking an interest in their child's school work or homework that promotes healthy lifestyle.

being mindful not to punish or reward children with food.

People are well aware of the importance of eating well and exercising often, to promote well-being. However, why do people ignore the recommendations?

Some negative attitudes to diet, exercise and healthy eating include:

"I'm too busy" - People say that they are too busy

• They have a busy family life and a busy work life so trying to eat well and exercise would take time which they feel they do not have.

People lack education

• Although people have an idea of what to eat and what not to eat, some lack the knowledge and understanding of what it means to eat a healthy diet and exercise regulalry. Some people believe that to try and plan to eat healthily is hard because there is conflicting advice on what is good to eat and what should be eaten only in moderation.

People lack the money

• Some people see eating healthy and being a member of a gym as luxuries that are expensive and stretch an already tight budget.

People believe there is a quick fix

• When there is an occasion coming up, people try to lose weight quickly by crash dieting and a weight loss diet is undertaken on an urgent, short-term basis with the aim of achieving very rapid results. However, after the result is achieved, the person ends up putting their weight, and more, back on just as quickly and relent very quickly to old habits.

QUESTIONS YOU COULD BE ASKED ON THIS

Explain one reason why a person may have a negative attitude to health, diet and exercise (2marks)

A person may lack confidence. They might feel embarrassed or nervous about going to the gym or joining a sports team, which can stop them from getting involved and make them avoid healthy habits.

Explain two ways parents may encourage a positive attitude to diet (4marks)

Parents can set a good example by eating healthy food themselves. If young people see this, they’re more likely to copy and think healthy eating is normal. (2marks)

Parents can let their children help make meals. This helps them learn about healthy food and makes them more interested in eating well. (2marks)