Transcript Social environment (community)

6. Determinants affecting
children’s health
Biological determinants
• Factors influencing health and development
that depend on biology, such as genetics,
hormones, body weight, blood pressure,
cholesterol and birth weight
Genetics
• A person’s genetic composition is an
important determinant of disease and health
• Genes are inherited from our parents and
determine our physical characteristics
• Many genetic disorders are inherited e.g.
cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy,
haemophilia, spina bifida and Down syndrome
Birth weight
• Birth weight is a significant indicator of infant
health
• Babies with low birth weight are more likely to
develop disabilities and have a greater risk of
poor health
• Overweight babies may also be at risk of
health issues such as diabetes
Body weight
• An overweight or obese child is more likelt to
be overweight or obese as an adult
• Being overweight or obese as a child can lead
to diabetes, heart disease, stress on weightbearing joints and poor self-esteem
• Poor eating and a sedentary lifestyle has a
detrimental effect on children’s health
Behavioural determinants
• Factors influencing health and development
relating to behaviour and lifestyle choices
• These include sun protection, eating habits,
levels of physical activity, oral hygiene,
parental smoking, maternal nutrition and
health, alcohol and drug use during
pregnancy, breastfeeding, vaccination
Physical environment
• Factors that have to do with living conditions,
access to facilities and environmental factors
(such as tobacco smoking and water
fluoridation)
• Access to recreational facilities is also a factor
affecting children's’ health
Social environment (family)
• The influence of family members and the
family environment – particularly the
influence of parents on the health of children
– is a determinant of children’s health
• Factors include: parental education, parental
occupation and employment status, parental
income, family stress and trauma, parental
health and disability, family and work-life
balance, parental practices,
Social environment (community)
• The broader community – beyond the family
unit – and the social environment, are
determinants of children’s health
• Factors include: media, access to social
support, neighbourhood safety, access to
services (such as healthcare, childcare,
preschools and schools)